Scorpions whip Stags, sweep Filoil Cup elims

MANILA, Philippines - Centro Escolar University pulled away in the fourth quarters as the amazing Scorpions trounced the San Sebastian Stags, 73-62, to complete its sweep of the group elims in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at San Juan Arena yesterday.

Samboy de Leon fired five triples in the fourth as the Scorpions broke away from a tight contest to win pulling away and assured themselves of one of the top two spots in the quarterfinals.

The top two teams of the three brackets plus the two best third place squads will figure out in the knockout playoff stage with unbeaten San Beda guns for the top seeding against Far Eastern University on Saturday.

The Scorpions and the Stags fought it out practically on even terms in the first half before CEU broke away late in the third period behind forward Joseph Sedurifa, who scored seven consecutive points.

“I have to give it to the boys because they love to win,” said CEU head coach Edgar Macaraya who defeated his alma mater of which he won a NCAA title back in the 1980s. “It’s a Cinderella-like run and a big win for our school.”

De Leon led all scorers with 25 points, highlighted by six triples. Sedurifa added 19 points while Congolese center Rodrigue Ebondo contributed 13 markers.

Jaymark Perez led San Sebastian, which closed out its stint with a 2-4 mark, with 17 points while Jon Ortouste backed him up with 10 markers.