THUS far in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive, Letran is stamping its class all over the NCAA bracket.
The Knights stretched their league-best streak to six following a 75-68 victory vs. San Sebastian, Friday at the PlayTime Filoil Centre in San Juan.
Deo Cuajao dropped 11 points and three assists, while Titing Manalili and Jimboy Estrada chipped in 10 points apiece in the Knights' charge to 7-1 - good for solo leadership of the NCAA Group and more importantly, enough to become the first team to book a ticket to the quarterfinals.
A 9-0 Golden Stags run led by rookie Ian Cuajao tied up the tally at 63-all with under six minutes to play. Manalili's personal 8-0 blast, however, stopped them dead in their tracks before another Syrex Silorio basket re-established Letran's lead to 10, 73-63.
"Although we won the game, shaky on both ends, offense and defense. Hindi ko nakita yung tamang attitude at body language," said head coach Allen Ricardo, always with high standards, as they gear up for a rivalry game against San Beda to end the eliminations.
Cuajao wound up with 15 points for San Sebastian, as fellow rookie Andre Lumanag also shone bright with 19 markers and three boards.
Meanwhile, Mo Konateh’s 23-point, 20-rebound double-double proved to be the difference for Far Eastern University to earn a 68-66 overtime triumph over Adamson.
Jorick Bautista chimed in 21 points for the now 3-1 Tamaraws, as Matty Erolon drained 17 points built on three triples for the Soaring Falcons who remain winless through three tries.
Also joining NCAA bracket victors in the tourney - which has PlayTime Cares, Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Bostik El Heneral, Jiang Nan Hotpot, Lamtex Pipes, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas as major sponsors, and Harbor Star, Wallem, Akari, BDO, Tela.com Athletics, Nature’s Spring, Reyes Barbecue, and Brothers Burger as minor sponsors - are Arellano and Perpetual.
The Chiefs banked on T-Mc Ongotan and his 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists to upset reigning NCAA champion Mapua, 76-73, and improve to 2-3.
John Abis then tallied 13 points to lift the Altas over Jose Rizal University, 65-64, for their second straight win and third overall in seven games.
For the 1-5 Heavy Bombers, Jay Garupil scattered 13 points, Cyrus Nitura delivered 15 markers, seven rebounds, and four assists for the 4-3 Cardinals.
The Scores:
First Game
LETRAN 75— Cuajao 11, Estrada 10, Manalili 10, Silorio 9, Roque 8, Tapenio 8, Yusi 6, Rosillo 5, Montecillo 3, Buensalida 3, Omega 2, Poli 0
SAN SEBASTIAN 68— Lumanag 19, Cuajao 15, Pillado 9, Cabilla 9, Nepacena 7, Castor 4, Gabat 2, Ricio 2, Gomez de Liaño 1, Dimaunahan 0
Quarters: 20-15, 41-30, 59-51, 75-68
Second Game
FEU 68— Konateh 23, Bautista 21, Pasaol 13, Ona 4, Bagunu 4, Mongcopa 2, Daa 1, Montemayor 0, Felipe 0, Nakai 0, Salangsang 0
ADAMSON 66— Erolon 17, Medina 13, Montebon 10, Perez 10, Tumaneng 4, Manzano 4, Ronzone 2, Ojarikre 2, Sajili 2, Competente 2, Anabo 0, Barcelona 0, Fransman 0
Quarters: 17-22, 36-26, 41-48, 60-60, 68-66
Third Game
PERPETUAL 65— Abis 13, Casinillo 11, Sleat 11, Pagulayan 9, Boral 7, Alcantara 4, Gojo Cruz 4, Nunez 2, Duremdes 2, Maglupay 2, Orgo 0, Tulabut 0, Gelsano 0, Borja 0
JRU 64— Garupil 13, Peñaverde 11, Argente 11, Panapanaan 8, Lozano 6, Benitez 4, Esguerra 4, Pangilinan 3, Herrera 2, Castillo 2
Quarters: 20-18, 30-30, 49-49, 65-64
Fourth Game
ARELLANO 76— Ongotan 16, Libang 12, Camay 10, Vinoya 7, Borromeo 6, Hernal 6, Cabotaje 4, Geronimo 4, Flores 3, Langit 3, Miller 3, Abiera 2, Espiritu 0, Buenaventura 0, Anama 0, Demetria 0
MAPUA 73— Nitura 15, Cuenco 14, Recto 10, Delos Reyes 9, Concepcion 6, Abdulla 5, Igliane 5, Escamis 5, Gonzales 3, Gulapa 1, Lazarte 0, Callangan 0
Quarters: 21-16, 36-34, 58-55, 76-73
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