Centro Escolar University escaped past Wangs Basketball@27 Striker-Letran in overtime, 92-85, to register its second straight win in the 2023 Philippine Basketball Association D-League Aspirants’ Cup Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Ron Rei Tolentino scored 10 of CEU’s 16 points in the extra period highlighted by back-to-back treys as the Scorpions kept the Knights winless in two matches under new coach Rensy Bajar.
Ayodeji Victor Balogun collared 18 points and 18 rebounds plus four assists, two steals and a block while Anjord Cabotaje, Franz Ray Diaz and Jerome Santos threw in 15, 13 and 10 points, respectively for CEU, which improved to 2-1 record.
“With this win, it’s our first time to beat a quality team like Letran. You dream of being in this situation eh, facing the three-time NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) champion. It’s a matter of embracing the opportunity and I’m happy that the boys stepped up,” CEU coach Jeff Perlas said.
Riding on a 107-68 breakthrough win against AMA Online, CEU held its ground against the three-peat NCAA champion for the majority of the match before capitalizing in the clutch behind Diaz’s crucial freebies.
CEU led, 74-73, in the last 21 seconds, when Diaz sank two free throws to give the Scorpions a 76-73 edge. But Letran’s Kurt Reyson knocked down a three-point shot in the ensuing play to tie the count and force overtime.
Tolentino took over in the extra period, scoring eight straight points capped by a three-pointer to give the Scorpions an 84-81 lead with two minutes left. They were never threatened after that.
Reyson bannered the Knights with 27 points but his efforts were not enough as Letran fell to 0-2.
