Undermanned Centro Escolar University rolled to its second straight win with a 70-56 win over National College of Business and Arts yesterday in the PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League at the Olivarez gym in Parañaque City.
Despite having only a six-man rotation, the CEU Scorpions unleashed a 9-0 run midway in the final period to take a 60-52 lead – a deficit the NCBA Wildcats found too hard to overhaul.
Meantime, Olivarez College bounced back from a crushing defeat to CEU in the opener by downing Lyceum-Batangas, 71-62.
Joshua Abastillas played hard for 38 minutes and produced 21 points and 20 rebounds while John Cayno Carandang and Christian Malicana played all 40 minutes to combine for 30 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists.
Rene Pamaran saw action in 30 minutes and produced 10 points, six rebounds and four steals, while Gilles Oloume had seven points and 18 boards in 37 minutes.
CEU fielded only its second unit as its top-tier players were to play later in the day in a semis series in the PBA D-League.
Still, the Scorpions had the game under control, collecting 38 points in the paint, converting 23 second chance points and delivering 13 fast break points.
NCBA fell to a second straight defeat despite Jose Maria Agustin and John Mar Aculana scoring 17 and 14 points.
CEU dictated the tempo early after racing to a 20-8 first-quarter lead before NCBA gathered steam in the third.
Mike Buendia called the shots for CEU in the absence of head coach Derrick Pumaren.
