Centro Escolar University dodged an upset by newcomer Manila Central University, 74-71, at the start of the Universities and Colleges Athletic League-PG Flex Linoleum Season 6 Saturday at the Paco Arena in Manila.

Dylan Darbin stood tallest for the defending champion Scorpions, burying a triple with just two seconds left to shatter a 71-all count and deny the Supremos of pulling off a huge upset right in the opening day of the nine-team league.

The loss was a heartbreaker for the newcomers as the Supremos appeared headed to a memorable debut when they took a 67-63 lead with barely two minutes left only to allow the Scorpions to regroup.

The contest was tight from the start with the Supremos catching the Scorpions by surprise with their air-tight defense, especially in the third where they held the Mendiola-based squad to just 11 points.

In contrast, the Supremos, starring Seanne General and Bi Tizie Yannick Dje, scattered 18 points to go into the payoff period enjoying a 54-51 lead.

But CEU was not to be denied as it wheeled back into the contest through the heroics of veteran Franz Ray Diaz, Darbin and Daniel Marcelo.

Diaz and Marcelo led CEU with 13 points each, followed by Darbin and Abdul Wahab-Olusesi with 12 each with the latter grabbing eight boards.