CENTRO Escolar University continued its unbeaten run, beating Technological Institute of the Philippines, 65-56, on Thursday in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League at the Olivarez College gym.
Rodrigue Ebondo and Jason Opiso spearheaded separate runs by the Scorpions, who notched their 10th victory to assure them of the top seed in the semifinals.
But it was not an easy outing for the multi-titled squad, which was forced to a 44-44 deadlock after being limited to nine points in the third quarter.
Opiso and Ebondo had eight points in a critical 17-6 burst for the Scorpions to take a 63-53 lead with 2:22 lead in the fourth.
Opiso had 18 points and 17 rebounds, while Orlan Wamar added 15 points for the Scorpions. Ebondo also had a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds for CEU.
“Marami pa kaming kailangang i-correct,” said CEU coach Yong Garcia. “Naging complacement kami. Wala kaming time para mag-relax. Kailangan naming ibigay ang lahat para ma-build ‘yung character namin.”
The Engineers stayed in second place with a 6-3 win-loss record.
John Enriquez scored 14 points for TIP.
The scores:
CEU 65 — Opiso 18, Wamar 15, Ebondo 12, Manlangit 10, Casino 3, Guinitaran 3, Aquino 2, Fuentes 2, Arim 0, Umeanozie 0, Saber 0, De Leon 0, Veron 0.
TIP 56 — Enriquez 14, Santos 8, Napoles 7, Okoronkwo 7, Pinas 6, Diego 5, Akpuru 3, Rosopa 2, Gadon 2, Jimenez 2, Matignas 0.
Quarterscores: 17-13; 35-26; 44-44; 65-56.
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