CEU stuns Perpetual in PCCL

Games today (FAITH gym, Tanauan City)

2 p.m. – St. Clare vs CEU/Perpetual

4 p.m. – La Salle vs JRU

MANILA, Philippines - Centro Escolar University (CEU) stunned shorthanded University of Perpetual Help, 78-72, to reach the next phase of the Champions League (PCCL) Luzon-Metro Manila stepladder last night at the First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities (FAITH) gym in Tanauan City, Batangas.

Center Rod Ebondo led the way with seven points, seven rebounds and five blocks as the NAASCU champion Scorpions pulled away early in the fourth quarter before dousing cold water on the comeback bid of the Altas.

Perpetual suffered a quick exit after star players Harold Arboleda and Juneric Baloria joined the PBA’s NLEX Road Warriors.

Aaron Jeruta made 3-of-6 free throws in the final minute after Perpetual cut a double-digit deficit into 75-70 to seal CEU’s date with St. Clare today.

The winner will advance to tomorrow’s final against either La Salle or Jose Rizal University.

Earlier, St. Clare stamped its class on NCBL titlist Diliman College, 71-57, behind the 13 points of Jayson Ibay.

It was the second straight win of St. Clare in the Luzon-Metro Manila tilt after blasting Lyceum of Subic Bay in the opener last Friday.

CEU and St. Clare will meet at 2 p.m. today in a rematch of the NAASCU finals won by the Scorpions.

La Salle and JRU clash in the second game at 4 p.m.

Already in the Elite Eight are UAAP champion National U, NCAA winner San Beda, CESAFI titlist Southwestern U, Far Eastern U, Arellano, University of San Carlos and University of the Visayas.