DLSU hangs on to top CEU

By Adrian Stewart Co

De La Salle University (DLSU) hung on to pull off a 71-67 victory over Centro Escolar University (CEU) recently in the 2019 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup at the San Juan Arena.

Encho Serrano spearheaded the win with 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists; while Justine Baltazar added a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards.

A tightly-contested game from the start, DLSU clung to a 69-64 advantage after an inside basket from Andrei Caracut with over a minute left in the game.

CEU, however, did not give up easily and cut their deficit to 69-67 on a three-pointer by Jan Formento. CEU had a chance to win it but Formento muffed a triple attempt before Serrano sealed the win for DLSU with a layup.

“We [were] expecting this kind of a game,” said interim DLSU coach Gian Nazario. “We knew it was going to be close, it [was] just a matter for us of sticking to the game plan and following instructions.”/ASC, WDJ