Chadao-FEU vs CEU in PBA D-League. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Chadao-Far Eastern University became the last team from the Foundation Group to advance to the playoffs after holding off Centro Escolar University, 74-69, in the 2019 PBA D-League Thursday at JCSGO Gym.
L-Jay Gonzales led the Tamaraws with 15 points, five assists, and three steals as the Tamaraws ended the eliminations on a four-game winning streak.
Wendell Comboy and Joseph Nunag added 13 and 12 points, respectively, to the Tamaraws’ offense.
“One of our goals is to make it to the playoffs and now we got it,” said FEU head coach Olsen Racela.
FEU held a 69-58 lead midway through the fourth quarter but saw it dissipate when Judel Fuentes and Maodo Malick Diouf rallied the Scorpions on an 11-0 run to get to a 69-all with 2:08 left.
Branrey Bienes answered the Scorpions’ late-game run with a three, which Patrick Tchuente followed up with a putback slam to give the Tamaraws the final basket of the match.
The Tamaraws improved to a 6-3 record and in the process eliminated Marinerong Pilipino, which finished the eliminations at 5-4.
FEU will face Aspirants Group top seed Ateneo (8-1), which owns a twice-to-beat advantage, in the crossover quarterfinals on Monday.
Fuentes put up 24 points while Diouf had an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double for CEU.
Despite the loss, the Scorpions still hold a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals.