Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Centro Escolar University redeemed itself after toppling Cignal-Ateneo, 77-74, in Game 2 to tie the 2019 PBA D-League Finals Tuesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Scorpions drew double-double efforts from Maodo Malick Diouf and Jerome Santos while also getting significant contributions from their guards to escape the Blue Eagles.
Diouf had 23 points and 16 rebounds that went with two blocks while Santos posted 28 points and 10 rebounds.
“We were able to redeem ourselves today. We were able to show a championship game,” said CEU coach Derrick Pumaren.
CEU bounced back after getting humiliated four days ago in Game 1, 66-101, which turned out to be the most lopsided loss in PBA D-League Finals history.
And the Scorpions did it in impressive fashion, coming back from 16 points down before showing great resolve down the stretch to keep the Blue Eagles at bay.
Adrian Wong scored a team-high 17 points for Ateneo but he and SJ Belangel misfired on potential game-tying attempts as time ran out.
Angelo Kouame tallied 14 points, including a basket that put the Eagles ahead, 38-22, in the second quarter. He also grabbed 10 rebounds and got three blocks.
Ateneo played minus Isaac Go, who was sidelined with an illness. Go led the way for Ateneo in Game 1 with 17 points on 4-of-6 shooting from downtown and without him, the Blue Eagles had trouble stretching the floor.