MANILA – Centro Escolar University Scorpions became the second team to make it to the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup semifinals after an 89-41 win over Asia’s Lashes Tomas Morato at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Rich Guinitaran spearheaded the attack with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
The Scorpions made it back to the semis for the third straight conference dating back to the 2018 Foundation Cup.
Dave Bernabe chipped in double-double 15 points and 10 rebounds as Senegalese center Malick Diouf had an all-around game of 12 markers, 13 boards, four assists, two steals, and two blocks.
“I just told the players to take care of things, do not take them lightly. We have to jump on them right away and not make them think of a Game Two,” said Scorpions head coach Derrick Pumaren.
The Scorpions surged to a 21-9 start behind Guinitaran, Bernabe, and Diouf, before ending the first period ahead by 27, 43-16.
The game would never be in question from then on as they cruised to the 41-point victory.
The Scorpions’ defense was efficient all game long. It held the opposition to just 28.6-percent from the field and also forced them to commit a total of 23 turnovers, which it converted to 25 easy points./PN
