LA SALLE withstood a furious fightback by National U to remain unscathed, 69-64, in the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup, Wednesday at the Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.
Up by 13, 57-44, with under nine minutes remaining, the Green Archers saw Nat Tulabut, Reinhard Jumamoy, and Steve Nash Enriquez join forces for a 15-4 blitz that closed the Bulldogs to 59-61 at the 1:47 mark of the final frame.
READ: JRU tames San Beda for biggest win so far in Filoil Preseason
Mikey Cortez responded for the green-and-white with his Eurostep layup and booming trey re-establishing a 66-61 lead for his side. Vhoris Marasigan and Kean Baclaan then put the finishing touches in La Salle's third triumph in as many games.
Baclaan proved to be a thorn on the side of his former team with 18 points, three assists, and two rebounds, as Jacob Cortez and Mason Amos chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
"From where he was and where he is now, he's just reaping what he's sowing. He's bought in. He's getting what he deserves," said head coach Topex Robinson.
Tulabut and Jake Figueroa each had 11 points to pace NU, which fell to 1-3
The Scores:
LA SALLE 69 - Baclaan 18, Cortez J 11, Amos M 10, Abadam 7, Phillips 6, Cortez M 5, Melencio 4, Macalalag 3, Marasigan 3, Dungo 2, Nawankwo 0, Amos C 0
NATIONAL U 64 - Tulabut 11, Figueroa 11, Manansala 10, Enriquez 9, Jumamoy 8, Santiago 5, Palacielo 4, Francisco 3, Parks 3, Padrones 0, Dela Cruz 0, Alfanta 0, Navarro 0, Reyes 0
Quarters: 16-11, 37-37-26, 54-44, 69-66
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
