CENTRO Escolar University repulsed Batangas-EAC, 84-75, to get back to its winning ways Thursday in the 2018 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Scorpions saw a 19-point lead dwindle to just five, 80-75, following back-to-back hits from Michael Mabulac in the final minute, but Cameroonian big man Gilles Oloume’s undergoal stab with 41.2 seconds left put the game beyond doubt for his side.
Orlan Wamar scattered 17 points, eight assists and six rebounds to lead CEU, which joined Marinerong Pilipino-TIP in joint third place with identical 4-3 marks.
“This is a very important game for us. There’s a lot at stake and we have not beaten Batangas,” said acting coach Derrick Pumaren as the Scorpions redeemed themselves from their 96-90 defeat to the Generals last June 11.
“I think we were able to come out, we were very active defensively. Overall, I’m happy with the way the boys played, but we could be better.”
Pierce Chan added 13 points and 10 rebounds, Judel Fuentes got 12 points and seven boards, and Oloume flirted with a double-double of 11 points, nine rebounds and four blocks for CEU.
Batangas-EAC’s two-game win streak came to an end, dropping to 3-4.
Mabulac led the Generals with 27 points and 14 rebounds.
With Kate Reyes
The Scores:
CEU 84 – Wamar 17, Chan 13, Fuentes 12, Oloume 11, Formento 10, Intic 8, Guinitaran 5, Rojas 4, Uri 4, Ke. Caballero 0, Ko. Caballero 0.
Batangas-EAC 75 – Mabulac 27, Tabi 10, De Joya 8, De Guzman 6, Mendoza 6, Bautista 5, Derige 5, Arim 2, Austria 2, Manalo 2, Dela Pena 1, Laude 1, Harris 0, Saldana 0.
Quarters: 26-21, 47-34, 62-51, 84-75.