Defending UAAP champion De La Salle University and reigning UCAL king Centro Escolar University moved closer to a showdown in the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
La Salle-EcoOil pulled away in the second half for an 85-65 rout of NAASCU champ Go Torakku-St. Clare, while CEU tamed NCAA champion San Beda University once again, 75-71, to open their respective best-of-three semis series.
It was a repeat performance for Jeff Perlas’ Scorpions, who also defeated the Red Lions 72-63 in the elimination round.
And the biggest David of them all was rookie Daniel Marcelo.
Marcelo went berserk in the fourth quarter while Dylan Darbin and Jerome Santos took care of the insurance free throws to rescue the Scorpions from almost wasting a double-digit lead in the second half.
Marcelo poured 14 of his 31 points in the payoff period, none bigger than the booming trey to give the Scorpions a 71-66 lead in the final minute before holding on for a thrilling repeat win over San Beda.
Abdub-Wahab Olusesi anchored CEU’s defensive stand with 15 points, 18 rebounds, two steals, and five blocks while Darbin complemented Marcelo in scoring with 10 points to fill the injury absence of ace guard Franz Ray Diaz.
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