#FilOil2019: CEU survive late UST scare to go 2-0 in Seniors

SAN JUAN -- Centro Escolar University scored their second win in as many games in the 13th FilOil Flying V Preseason Cup, surviving a tough challenge against UST, 75-73 to cap off the tripleheaders of the Seniors division Sunday evening.

Derrick Pumaren's Scorpions backed up their solid outing against Mapua in their return to the premier preseason tilt with a down-to-wire thriller against the Growling Tigers to share the Group A lead with idle San Beda at 2-0.

Judel Fuentes stepped up when Malick Diouf was saddled with foul trouble, as he led all scorers with 25 points on 69% field-goal shooting, including 6 triples.

Diouf had a relatively quiet outing after posting just six points yet hauled down 12 rebounds.

Chistian Uri and Keanu Caballero each had 10 to back up their prized forward, with the latter turned up in the final period by scoring six points there before fouling out with 11 seconds left.

Soulemane Chabi Yo posted a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds for UST who dropped their second straight game as they hit an atrocious 5-of-28 as a team.

CEU scored the game's biggest lead at 7, with a 12-0 run overturned a five point halftime deficit to start the third, 44-37.

The Scorpions even thought that the game was already done and dusted when they fired for 11 without reply to extend their lead at 6, 70-64 before UST moved to within a point with 11 seconds left after Mark Nonoy split his charities.

Although Franz Diaz had a split of his own for a two-point lead, CEU's win was only secured at the horn when Renzo Subido missed a wide open trey.

The scores:

CEU 75 -- Fuentes 25, Uri 10, Caballero 10, Formento 8, Diouf 6, Rojas, 4, Lisbo 4, Diaz 3, Bernabe 2, Santos 2, Intic 1, Abastillas 0, Sunga 0

UST 73 -- Chabi Yo 19, Subido 9, Nonoy 9, Abando 8, Paraiso 8, Concepcion 8, Ando 6, Talampas 3, Huang 2, Tarranza 1, Bataller 0, Bordeos 0, Herrera 0

Quarter scores: 20-17, 32- 37, 57-50, 75-73

(photo by FilOil FlyingV Sports)