By Jerome Lagunzad
Games Monday
(JSCGO Gym, Cubao)
12 p.m. – Wang’s Basketball vs Go for Gold
2 p.m. – JRU vs Marinerong Pilipino
Flexing enough muscles, Centro Escolar University still proved too much for slumping AMA Online Education, 118-83, yesterday to keep its grip of the top spot in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Congolese center Rod Ebondo delivered his usual numbers of 27 points, nine rebounds and two assists while Art Patrick Aquino and Mishaal Veron combined for 21 points in the second quarter that enabled the Scorpions to break free from the Titans.
It was the second victory in four days and sixth overall in seven starts for CEU, which took full advantage of its quickness and pounced on the absence of several vital cogs of AMA, which even played without tactician Mark Herrera.
“Masaya ako sa nilaro ng mga bata. When we decided to run, maganda na ipinakita ng team,” said CEU coach Yong Garcia, who also got a combined 27-point output from mainstays Patrick Aquino and Judel Fuentes.
Earlier, guard Jerie Pingoy rediscovered his touch just in time to help Akari-Adamson hold off Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College, 89-79.
The former two-time UAAP juniors MVP sizzled with 23 points, spiked by six triples, the last three of which coming inside the last 2:03 of play, as the Soaring Falcons pulled away from the upset-conscious Generals.
