#FilOil2019: La Salle deals Centro Escolar its first loss as Serrano explodes anew

SAN JUAN -- La Salle now made it back-to-back wins in the FilOil Flying V Preseason Cup, after giving Centro Escolar its first setback with a close 71-67 result in the Seniors division action Friday evening at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

Trailing for most of the game, Gian Nazario's Green Archers are bailed out in the final frame by Encho Serrano, who exploded for 14 of his 18 points in the payoff period gave them their third win in four games to move up to solo second in Group A.

Justine Baltazar backstopped Serrano with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds for La Salle.

For the now 2-1 Scorpions, Jed Formento lit up for 22 points to lead all scorers on a 7/12 clip from the field in a losing effort, with Malick Diouf put up a decent double-double of 13 markers and 14 boards.

CEU led by as much as 10 in the early stages, but La Salle rallied back and matched it shot after shot, setting the stage for a close encounter.

All that changed in the fourth, where Serrano had scored La Salle's first 12 points , including 2 triples that broke the final deadlock at 56-all as La Salle recovered quickly from their overtime loss to UP last Sunday.

The scores

La Salle 71 -- Serrano 18, Baltazar 14, Melecio 11, Caracut 9, Manuel 4, David 4, Capacio 4, Cu 2, Bates 2, Bartlett 2, Manaytay 1, Lim 0, Lojera 0, Escandor 0

CEU 67 -- Formento 22, Diouf 13, Chan 10, Fuentes 10, Lisbo 4, Uri 3, Rojas 3, Sunga 2, Caballero 0, Diaz 0, Bernabe 0

Quarter scores: 11-13, 26-28, 47-48, 71-67

(photo: Encho Serrano of La Salle looks for options after being set a screen by Joaqui Manuel. FilOil FlyingV Sports)