Centro Escolar University beat Valencia City Bukidnon-San Sebastian, 71-65, to gain first place in the Foundation Group in the 2019 PBA D-League Tuesday at Paco Arena in Manila.
Malick Diouf owned the paint with 21 points, 30 rebounds and four blocks for the Scorpions, who rolled to 4-0.
CEU coach Derrick Pumaren commended his team’s strong start but expressed his displeasure with his team’s sloppy play.
“Valencia, in their first three games, really started well so for today we wanted to start strong which we did,” said Pumaren. “But I’m not happy with our turnovers because they came back.”
CEU turned the ball over 20 times that led to 19 turnover points for San Sebastian.
San Sebastian came within five after Kenneth Villapando completed a three-point play with 2:41 left but the Stags couldn’t get any closer after that.
Jan Formento added 16 points, Christian Uri had 13 and four assists, and Keanu Caballero chipped in 10 points for CEU.
Allyn Bulanadi finished with 16 points for San Sebastian but he was off target, shooting a dismal 6-of-22 from the field. The Stags dropped their first game after starting the tournament at 3-0.