MANILA, Philippines — Centro Escolar University continued to impress in its maiden run as the Scorpions downed the St. Benilde Blazers, 77-68, for their second straight victory in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup Friday.
Alfred Batino and Rod Ebondo teamed up for 30 points as the Scorpions raced to double-digit leads as high as 19 points, 40-21, in the second half.
“Hopefully every game we can keep our composure and keep calm,” coach Egay Macaraya said of his Scorpions, who also blasted another NCAA squad, Emilio Aguinaldo College, in their debut.
The EAC Generals rebounded by posting a surprise rout of San Sebastian, 77-56, in the nightcap.
Jan Jamon buried 21 points to power the Generals, who outscored the Stags in the second quarter, 32-11, for a 47-31 halftime edge.
“We were lucky with our offense,” said assistant coach Andy de Guzman as the Generals shot 51 percent from the field in the first half.
University of San Carlos, meanwhile, stunned Cebu champion University of Visayas, 77-71, in a battle of provincial squads.
The USC Warriors picked up their first win in two outings with Nico Magat (17 points) and Ian Ortega (16 points) fueling a second-half breakaway.
“In the second half, we gave special attention to our defense on (John) Abad,” USC coach Junthy Valenzuela of the UV guard who exploded for a tournament-high 38 points.
The scores:
First Game
UNIV. OF SAN CARLOS 77—Magat 17, Ortega 16, Plata 10, Toyambi 9, Shooster 9, Bensig 6, Laude 6, Rabat 4, Lim 0, Oleodo 0, Trozo 0, Pepito 0, Cortes 0, Rocha 0.
UNIV. OF VISAYAS 71—Abad 38, Octobre 11, Mpolina 6, Amoquiz 6, Akomo 4, Perolino 2, Codilla 2, Marquez 2, Arong 0, Segumpan 0, Aguirre 0, Escosio 0, Cabanero 0, Suerte 0.
Quarters: 20-25, 40-39, 63-55, 77-71 Second Game CEU 77—Ebondo 15, Batino 15, Abundo 12, Celso 9, Sedurifa 8, Banua 6, Jeruta 5, Opiso 4, Mutombo 2, Casino 1, De Leon 0, Vargas 0.
ST. BENILDE 68—Grey 13, Ongtengco 12, Nayve 10, Taha 8, Argamino 6, Saavedra 5, Altamirano 4, Bartolo 3, Johnson 3, Flores 2, Deles 2, Pajrillaga 0, Suarez 0.
Quarters: 12-10, 30-21, 54-41, 77-68