CENTRO Escolar University (CEU) clinched a playoff spot in the Philippine Basketball Association D-League Aspirants’ Cup with a 90-85 decision over Perpetual on Tuesday at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.
Rich Guinitaran tallied 27 points to lead the Scorpions to their fourth straight victory and seventh overall in eight games.
Rod Ebondo finished with a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Joseph Manlangit lead a solid support by the reserves with 16 points.
The Scorpions controlled the game throughout, thanks to the solid effort of its bench, which outscored Perpetual Help’s reserves, 56-13.
“All the credit goes to my players. Even though they had several lapses, they kept their focus. They are really determined to win,” CEU Coach Yong Garcia said.
CEU broke a close game open in the second quarter behind a near-flawless shooting from the three-point range. The Scorpions went 5 of 8 from there in the period and 11 of 25 for the game.
Prince Eze scored 23 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in another impressive performance and Edgar Charcos contributed 22, but the duo couldn’t save the Altas from absorbing their fifth loss in seven games.
Keith Pido gave the Altas a 19-18 lead late in the opening quarter before Ebondo and Guinitaran scored the next five points to put CEU ahead, 23-19, after the period.
Perpetual Help regained the lead at 31-30 on four straight points by Kim Aurin before Guinitaran took over.
The streak shooting guard went 7 of 9—including 4 of 4 from behind the arc—to spark CEU’s breakaway. His 13 points during a 19-8 run gave CEU a commanding 49-39 lead at halftime and never trailed again.