MANILA — Just two days into the FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup, on-court drama already ensued.
Two players from Mapua and one from Centro Escolar clashed late into their team's match-up at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City on Monday.
With the game all but settled, Cardinals Warren Bonifacio and Justin Serrano got into a heated moment with Pink Scorpion Tyrone Chan, sparking a brawl that was eventually pacified by cooler heads.
The three players were sent off due to the melee.
CEU won the contest, 84-65, behind a solid second half where it limited Mapua to just 12 points in the third quarter and made 31 points in the fourth to complete the breakaway.
Maodo Diouf scored 19 points, 23 rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and one steal for the Pink Scorpions, who came in after the Perpetual Help Altas withdrew from the tournament.
Serrano's ejection put into waste his team-high 17-point outing for the Cardinals.
In the first game, Lyceum held off St. Benilde, 70-57, behind a great defensive effort in the final 20 minutes wherein the latter only got 19 points, seven in the final quarter.
Jaycee Marcelino made 15 points, three rebounds, and one assist for the Pirates.
Mike Nzeusseu added a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds with one block and one steal.
Robi Nayve and Jeremiah Pangalangan each tallied 12 markers for the Blazers. (PNA)
