Scorpions boost bid; Skippers stay alive

MANILA, Philippines — Centro Escolar U stormed out of the starting block and crushed Wangs Basketball, 116-72, to move a win away from securing the top seed in its bracket in the PBA D-League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig yesterday.

Tyron Chan fueled the Scorpions’ strong 38-17 start, dropping 23 of his 32 points in the first half as CEU collected its seventh win against a lone loss for solo first in the Foundation Group.

Chan also got 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals.

“We got derailed against NU (the last time out) as we didn’t take care of things in the second half. Now, we made sure to take care of things,” said CEU coach Derrick Pumaren.

The Scorpions never let up, posting leads of as many as 47 in sending the Couriers to a 3-6 wind-up.

Earlier, Marinerong Pilipino’s playoff fate is no longer in its hands but it made the most of its last shot, wrapping up its elims campaign with a 90-76 beating of also-ran Perpetual Help.

The Skippers finished at 5-4 for fifth in the Foundation Group, right behind the Far Eastern U Tamaraws whom they hope to drag out of the race to get the coveted slot in the next round.

A loss by FEU, fourth at 5-3, in its last assignment against CEU would hand Marinerong Pilipino a playoff spot.