CENTRO Escolar University spoiled the return of Andre Paras as it whipped AMA Online Education, 96-85, on Monday in the 2018 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Judel Fuentes showed the way, uncorking 25 points off the bench as the Scorpions leveled their standing at 2-2.
Pierce Chan contributed a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Orlan Wamar had 11 points and five assists against his eight turnovers.
CEU got off running in the second quarter, going on a killer 18-3 blast that turned a close 32-28 lead to a commanding 50-31 advantage.
AMA sliced the 24-point deficit to 11, with an Irvin Palencia basket making it, 92-81, with 1:48 on the clock, before Chan delivered the dagger buckets in the waning moments.
Despite the win, coach Derrick Pumaren expressed his displeasure on what he felt was his team’s tendency to relax after erecting big leads.
“We’re still not happy. We got to play consistent basketball especially defensive-wise,” he said. “We have to play defense the whole game. The attitude should change, when were leading, we relax and I’m not happy with that.”
Paras had 21 points and 10 rebounds in his return for the Titans, but those efforts could not avert their side from falling to 0-4.
Owen Graham had 16 points and 11 boards, while JC Garcia had 14 for AMA.
The scores:
CEU 96 — Fuentes 25, Chan 18, Wamar 11, Rojas 10, Formento 9, Uri 7, Guinitaran 6, Ko. Caballero 4, Ke. Caballero 2, Intic 2, Oloume 2.
AMA 85 — Paras 21, Graham 16, Garcia 14, Matillano 13, Palencia 8, Marata 5, Liwag 4, Nakpil 3, Cariaga 1, Alao 0, Alvarez 0, Lao 0, Sabile 0, Soriano 0.
Quarterscores: 28-23; 57-36; 80-58; 96-85.
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