Centro Escolar University (CEU) held off a late push by Team Batangas for an 81-74 victory in their quarterfinal match on Thursday to reach the Final Four of the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League Foundation Cup at the Ynares Arena.
John Casino tallied 18 points off the bench, Mark Cruz and Rodrigue Ebondo added 15 apiece, while Aaron Jeruta scored 13 for the Scorpions, who got off to a strong start and led by as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter.
“I’m so proud of my players. They really focused on this game and I thought they deserved to win,” CEU Coach Yong Garcia said.
“Nobody expected us to reach the semis. But team’s collective effort and determination made the difference. We dedicate this victory to management for their all-out support,: Garcia added.
CEU will face top-seed Flying V in a best-of-three series.
The Scorpions exploited Batangas’s offensive woes and sloppy defense to open a 28-18 lead after the first quarter.
Batangas, which hoped to drag CEU to a deciding game, rallied midway in the fourth and pulled within 74-77 on a basket by Cedrick Ablaza with 1:33 left.
They had a chance to trim or tie the count two plays later when CEU missed two attempts. But Orlan Wamar foiled the threat by stripping the ball from behind Cedrick De Joya. Casino and Wamar made two free throws to close out scoring.
Celiz led Batangas with 18 points. De Joya finished with 16 and Ablaza chipped in 15 for the Batangueños, who went scoreless in the final 1:33.