MANILA, Philippines: Centro Escolar University (CEU) forged a PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup Finals duel against Eco-Oil La Salle after dispatching Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda, 78-56, in their do-or-die semifinals game three encounter at the Ynares Sports Arena on Thursday, May 2.

Team captain Franz Ray Diaz scattered 13 of his 21 points in the first half as the Scorpions jumped on the Red Lions to build a 43-22 advantage at the halftime break.

Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda, however, fought back as the reigning NCAA champion came to within 11 points, 52-41, late in the third frame.

But CEU regained its composure in the final canto as the Jeff Perlas-coached team unleashed a decisive 15-6 run to build a 20-point separation following an Abdul-Wahab Olusesi dunk, 67-47, and was never threatened again.

"Every time you beat a team like San Beda, 'yung feeling na syempre they're one of the top collegiate programs in the country and CEU is just outside of the UAAP and the NCAA," said Perlas.

"It's really a big morale-booster not just for the players but also for the entire CEU community," added Perlas.

Diaz added three rebounds and four assists while Olusesi pumped in 15 points on top of 28 huge rebounds and three blocks for CEU which made its third D-League Finals appearance after runner-up finishes in the 2017 Foundation and 2019 Aspirants' Cup.

Daniel Marcelo and Jerome Santos chipped in 14 and 10 points, respectively, for the Scorpions, who drew first blood in the best-of-3 series with a 75-71 Game One win but yielded to the Red Lions in Game Two, 76-84.

Jomel Puno and Bryan Sajonia logged in 23 and 12 points, respectively, for San Beda.

CEU and La Salle begin their best-of-three Finals showdown on Monday, May 6, at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan.