CENTRO Escolar University (CEU) and Tanduay seek passage to the semifinal of the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League Foundation Cup via the short route when they tackle separate quarterfinal opponents today at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
Four-seed CEU takes on Team Batangas at 3 p.m. while third-seed Tanduay battles Marinerong Pilipino at 5 o’clock in an interesting double-header that could go either way.
The Scorpions and Rhum Masters hold a twice-to-beat advantage and could join Flying V and Cignal in the next round with a victory today.
The Thunder, who became the only fourth team in the league to finish the eliminations without a loss, and the Hawkeyes advanced outright to the Final Four by finishing in the top two at the end of the elimination round.
“It feels good to make the quarters. But we feel a lot better knowing we’re coming in [quarterfinals] with a twice-to-beat advantage,” CEU Coach Yong said Garcia said. “The players worked and trained hard for this and I’m proud with their achievement.”
CEU made the quarterfinals with an 88-77 rout of Racal Motors and earned the coveted berth as Flying V defeated Batangas, 116-101, at the close of the eliminations on Tuesday.
Interestingly, CEU finished the eliminations tied with Batangas and Marinerong Pilipino at 6-4 (won-lost). But the Scorpions earned the advantageous spot because of a superior quotient.
CEU defeated Batangas, 72-70, while Tanduay edge Marinerong Pilipino, 76-74, in the eliminations.
Tanduay coach Lawrence Chongson thought his chargers will have to do it the hard way to make it deep into the playoffs.
“To be honest, I’ve been here a long time and I’ve seen a lot of things happen. The way we play, we might just have a hard time contending,” Chingson explained. “But I think we can squeeze it out in the quarters.”