NEW-LOOK La Salle brandished its full power, trouncing University of Santo Tomas, 72-49, to open its 2019 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup campaign on a high note Sunday.
Andrei Caracut waxed hot early, burying three treys in the second frame as he finished with 19 points, two rebounds, and two assists to lead the Green Archers in the opening day win at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Justine Baltazar also stood his ground in the paint, nabbing a double-double with his 10 points, 11 boards, and two blocks in the conquest.
"For me and for the rest of the staff, the most important thing is that we are on the same page. We are still trying to prove that the players that it is not just about one player," said coach Gian Nazario.
La Salle hardly showed any problems despite losing six key players from last season, with Caracut catching fire to lead the Taft side's 28-point second quarter eruption.
Encho Serrano and Joaqui Manuel also added nine points each in the victory.
UST struggled mightily in the game, making only two conversions from deep for a paltry 8-percent shooting.
Beninese forward Soulemane Chabi Yo was the lone bright spot for the Growling Tigers with his 16 points, 17 rebounds, and three assists, as Dave Ando got a double-double of his own with his 12 points and 15 boards in the loss.
The scores:
LA SALLE 72 -- Caracut 19, Baltazar 10, Serrano 9, Manuel 9, Lojera 6, Melecio 5, Cu 5, Capacio 5, Bartlett 2, Manaytay 2, Bates 0, Lim 0, Escandor 0, Bonggay 0.
UST 49 -- Chabi Yo 16, Ando 12, Concepcion 5, Subido 4, Bataller 4, Lee 3, Huang 2, Abando 2, Nonoy 1, Paraiso 0, Tarranza 0, Marcos 0, Pangilinan 0.
Quarters: 11-12, 39-27, 56-35, 72-49.
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