CEU strings third straight win, fends off AMA

Rod Ebondo. PBA IMAGES

Centro Escolar University needed huge baskets late to hold off AMA Online Education, 100-85, and claim their third straight win Thursday in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Rod Ebondo carried the load anew for the Scorpions with 27 points, including the game-sealing three-pointer with 1:00 to go that doused the Titans rally. He also corralled 22 rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and two steals.

JK Casiño added 22 markers, while Christian Uri and Mark Cruz both registered 14 points and six boards apiece .

CEU used a 30-point explosion in the second quarter to get a 51-37 lead at the half, before extending it to 20, 69-49, at the 3:40 mark of the third frame.

But the pair of Mario Bonleon and Renzo Subido got AMA back in the game and cut the deficit to as low as eight, 95-83, courtesy of an and-one play from Ivan Villanueva with 2:41 left, before Aaron Jeruta, Ebondo, and Mark Cruz racked six straight points to finally seal the win for the Scorpions.

“We still have lots of lpases that we have to correct, so we have to continue pushing ourselves in practice, especially with our decision making,” said coach Yong Garcia, as CEU stayed at fifth with its 3-2 card.

Bonleon went 12-of-22 to finish with 30 points and four rebounds, while Subido got 23 markers for the still winless AMA (0-5).

The Scores:

CEU 100 – Ebondo 27, Casiño 22, Uri 14, Cruz 14, Arim 8, Manlangit 7, Jeruta 6, Wamar 2, Aquino 0, Saber 0.

AMA ONLINE EDUCATION 85 – Bonleon 30, Subido 23, Salonga 10, Villanueva 7, Alas 5, Alupani 3, Flores 3, Paras 2, Celso 2, Macaranas 0, Jordan 0, Malones 0.

Quarters: 21-19, 51-37, 74-63, 100-85.