CENTRO Escolar University did something no team has achieved so far in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup after handing Flying V its first loss to keep its finals hopes alive.
The Scorpions held off the erstwhile unbeaten Thunder, 83-72, in Game Two of the semifinals on Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena.
And it couldn't have come at a better time for the Scoprions, who forged a deciding match in the best-of-three series.
But as big as the victory was for the Scorpions, CEU coach Yong Garcia is expecting a tough match come Thursday when the two teams meet again at 4 p.m. at the same venue.
"It's going to be an all-out war," Garcia said.
Garcia will again lean on Congolese import Rod Ebondo, who finished with 18 points, 26 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in the Tuesday's win, as well as Orlan Wamar, JK Casino, and Aaron Jeruta.
Meanwhile, Flying V coach Eric Altamirano is making sure the Thunder won't suffer the same fate on Thursday with a first finals appearance on the line.
“Kailangan magregroup kami and make sure we play better on Thursday. We’re playing a very tough team and you can see that they’re very cohesive so we have to match that," Altamirano said.
Jeron Teng, who fouled out with still 7:21 left in the fourth period, vowed to come out better in what he described as a character test for Flying V.
“It's more on how we approach the games eh. I think we were too relaxed in the game. For sure, next game dahil do-or-die, syempre iba na yung approach namin,” Teng said.