The score finished at 77-74 with Scorpion Jerome Santos hitting a big double-double at 28 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists. He played in tandem with import Maodo Malick Diouf from Senegal, who finished with 23 points, 16 rebounds, four steals, two assists, and two blocks. Rich Guinitaran was the third-highest pointer at 13 points, two assists, and two blocks.
For Cignal-Ateneo, Adrian Wong played a big part in keeping his team consistent with 17 points and a 4-of-7 percentage beyond the arc. He also chipped three assists and two rebounds. Big man Ange Kouame bagged a double-double at 14 points and 10 rebounds, while SJ Belangel totalled 13. Unfortunately, CEU got a hold of a solid 10-point lead in the last five minutes of the game. This is only the second game of the season that the Coach Tab Baldwin-led squad has lost; their opponents snapping their 10-game streak.
Coach Derrick Pumaren is pleased with the Scorpions performance, telling the media post-game, “I think we’re able to redeem ourselves today. We’re able to show up in the championship game. What I told my players is more on motivation. I told them to believe in themselves, that we can be in the same league in Ateneo. I’m just happy to see the fight and us competing in this game.”
Both teams will go head-to-head to gain the upperhand once again next Thursday, June 20 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.