Undermanned CEU finds victory in defeat after gallant stand in finals

MANILA, Philippines—Centro Escolar University may have failed to win the 2019 PBA D-League title but it had done enough that a championship trophy wasn’t necessary.

The Scorpions’ inspiring run to the finals ended on Tuesday after taking a title-clinching 98-66 beating at the hands of reigning two-time UAAP champion Ateneo in Game 4.

The lopsided loss, however, won’t take away the fact that CEU remains a winner.

READ: Cignal-Ateneo bags 2019 PBA D-League title, rips CEU in Game 4

“I’ve never said this to the boys because I don’t want them to feel satisfied by just making the finals, but I told the boys today that for me, you’re already champions,” CEU head coach Derrick Pumaren said. “You’ve done something incredible. You have nothing to be ashamed of and you have to keep your heads high.”

Just how incredible?

The Scorpions made their way to the finals despite having only eight players. What’s more impressive is that they even managed to steal Game 2 from the mighty Blue Eagles.

“We’ve overachieved. It was a big accomplishment for the team despite the eight-man lineup and seven-man rotation,” Pumaren said.

READ: PBA D-League: Even with just 7 players, CEU stuns Go for Gold for semis

Having an undermanned roster, however, eventually took its toll on CEU.

“We wanted to extend the series, we wanted to put up a good fight but I think the fatigue factor has really gotten to us that the players were cramping up,” said Pumaren.

“We feel bad but we really lost to a better team. Ateneo is just a very strong team. They showed their dominance in today’s game. I tried to push them but that’s everything we had.”