By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Ilonggo hoops star Ronrei Tolentino delivered in the clutch for the Centro Escolar University (CEU) and helped them escape the Wangs Basketball @27 Striker-Letran in overtime, 92-85, in the ongoing PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup last May 16, 2023, held at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The former Iloilo National High School (INHS) main gunner carried CEU in the extra period after pouring in 10 points including the dagger three-pointer that helped them establish a comfortable cushion.
With CEU seeking for its second-straight win of the tournament, Tolentino was just unstoppable during overtime and single-handedly outscored the whole Letran team.
The Ilonggo small forward began to take over in the fourth-minute mark of the extra five minutes and scored eight consecutive points.
Although Letran was able to counter with two baskets generated from backdoor plays, CEU became more disciplined in the last crucial defensive stretch to officially fend off the NCAA squad.
Despite only sinking three of his eight total attempts from the three-point territory, Tolentino made it up with his aggressive drives to the basket to top-score CEU with 25 big points.
Another Ilonggo in Franz Diaz also helped set the tone for CEU after drilling two important free throws in the last 30 seconds of the final frame.
Without Diaz’s made shots from the charity stripe, CEU would’ve been trailing after Letran’s Kurt Reyson hit a trey on the other end.
“With this win, it’s our first time to beat a quality team like Letran. You dream of being in this situation eh, facing the three-time NCAA champion. It’s a matter of embracing the opportunity and I’m happy that the boys stepped up,” said CEU chief mentor Jeff Perlas.
