CEU ousts San Beda in PBA D-League, forges finals duel with La Salle

Centro Escolar University booted out San Beda University after eking out a 78-56 Game 3 victory in their semifinals affair on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig to arrange a title showdown with reigning champion EcoOil-La Salle in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.

The Scorpions drew first blood in the series but the NCAA champions Red Lions forced an equalizer in Game 2 to drag CEU to a winner-take-all Game 3.

There was no denying CEU this time as the wards of head coach Jeff Perlas waxed hot right from the get-go, establishing a massive 21-point lead at the break, 43-22, and never looking back since then.

Although San Beda would outscore CEU in the penultimate period, the Scorpions had enough cushion to complete the upset and book the championship ticket.

Team captain Franz Ray Diaz poured 13 of his 21 points in the first half to set the pace in the Scorpions’ statement win while also grabbing three rebounds and four assists.

Abdul-Wahab Olusesi took care of the defensive end for the back-to-back UCAL champion CEU, churning out a double-double of 15 points and 28 rebounds  on top of three blocks and one assist.

"Every time you beat a team like San Beda, ‘yung feeling na siyempre they’re one of the top collegiate programs in the country and CEU is just outside of the UAAP and the NCAA,” said Perlas.

“It’s really a big morale booster not just for the players but also for the entire CEU community.”

(Every time you beat a team like San Beda, the feeling of [victory] since they're one of the top collegiate teams and CEU is just outside of the UAAP and the NCAA. It's really a big morale booster not just for the players but also for the entire CEU community.)

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News