By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Ilonggo hoops star Ronrei Tolentino saved the day once again for the Centro Escolar University (CEU) after lifting them in a double overtime clash against the PSP Gymers, 109-107, in the ongoing PBA D-League last May 25, 2023, held at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
After a clutch performance against the Wangs Basketball Striker-Letran, the former Iloilo National High School (INHS) superstar impressed once again and carried CEU in the clutch against the more experienced PSP squad.
Tolentino was the reason why CEU was able to force overtime after converting a crucial foul-counted play when he bulldozed his way inside the paint.
After the basket that forced the first extra five minutes, Tolentino closed the show when he drilled the cold-blooded three-pointer in the final stretch of the second overtime that gave them the 108-107 lead.
Tolentino finished his monster game with 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and three steals, helping CEU improve to a 3-2 win-loss record in the ongoing D-League.
Backstopping Tolentino is also an Ilonggo guard, Franz Diaz, who contributed 21 big points, seven assists, and five rebounds.
The pride of MH Del Pilar Jaro was steady from the get-go and orchestrated the CEU offense to perfection.
When the veteran PSP team started to find their rhythm and trim the lead bit by bit, it was Diaz who provided the answer that halted the bleeding for CEU in the final quarter.
Jerome Santos was also big for CEU after chipping in 16 big points while the duo of Ayodeji Victor Balogun and Mark Anthony Anagbogu scored 15 and 12 points, respectively.
“Like our game against Letran in OT, I challenged them and they responded. It’s a big win for us at iyon nga, still hoping na makaangat pa lalo sa rankings,” said CEU head coach Jeff Perlas.
