MANILA, Philippines - Centro Escolar University continued to prove its worth as it carved out a 61-58 victory over National University to stretch its win run to five in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at the San Juan Arena yesterday.
“It’s not a statement win,†said CEU coach Edgar Macaraya whose wards firmed up their hold of the Group C lead while dealing the Bulldogs their first loss after three straight wins.
“We just want to show that we are one of the best college teams in the country,†added Macaraya.
The Scorpions shackled the Bulldogs with their stingy defense, forcing NU’s hitters Glenn Khobuntin, Gelo Alolino and Alfred Aroga to take low percentage shots.
Aroga, for one, had only six attempts from the field although he did make 10 free throws.
CEU also outrebounded NU, 46-41, and snared more offensive rebounds 20-10 while leading on their wondrous three-point shooting to wrest control.
The Scorpions hit five triples in the third period, courtesy of Joseph Sedurifa, Samboy De Leon, Carlo Casiño and Jason Opiso, and took a 44-32 lead with 15 seconds left in the third.
Point guard Aaron Jeruta then scored on a high-looping layup over Aroga for a 48-33 lead with 9:18 to play in the contest en route to victory.