LETRAN leaned on a second half breakaway to put an end to Benilde's perfect start in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive, while also rising to the top spot in the NCAA Group.
With Titing Manalili and Jimboy Estrada both doing their thing, the Knights rampaged past the Blazers, 68-58, on Saturday at the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Manalili top-scored with 18 points to go with four rebounds, as Estrada posted a 10-marker, 10-board double-double. Transferee Jun Roque also turned in 12 points and three rebounds, as Letran tied their victims for a 5-1 standing in the tilt 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.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, we have to defend Saint Benilde, para ma-gauge na rin natin ngayon pa lang kung nasaan na tayo,” said head coach Allen Ricardo.
It was defense that detonated the Knights' running game that overturned a 37-42 disadvantage early in the third for a 56-47 edge late in the quarter.
The Blazers could only come as close as five until the final buzzer, as reigning NCAA MVP Allen Liwag was slowed down to 11 points and nine rebounds.
EAC breathing down their necks
Right behind Letran and Benilde is Emilio Aguinaldo College following a 75-71 triumph over Jose Rizal University.
Wilmar Oftana and Jearolan Omandac tallied 14 and 12 points, respectively, in the Generals' second straight win and fourth overall out of five games.
Arellano then finally entered the win column after staving off Perpetual, 68-66.
The now-1-2 Chiefs were led by T-Mc Ongotan who scattered 18 points laced with six boards and four assists.
For the 1-2 Altas, Patrick Sleat fronted the effort with 14 points, as Sanlea Peñaverde was the top gun for the 1-2 Heavy Bombers with 17 markers.
The Scores:
First Game
EAC 75— Oftana 14, Omandac 12, Quinal 8, Ochavo 8, Shanoda 6, Bagay 6, Angeles 5, Doria 5, Castillo 5, Dominguez 4, Jacob 2, Tolentino 0, Cosa 0, Yanes 0
JRU 71— Peñaverde 17, Argente 14, Pangilinan 11, Benitez 9, Sarmiento 6, Herrera 5, Garupil 4, Panapanaan 3, Lozano 2, Canoza 0
Quarters: 29-19, 48-33, 66-53, 75-71
Second Game
ARELLANO 68— Ongotan 18, Valencia 10, Cabotaje 9, Abiera 7, Geronimo 6, Vinoya 6, Libang 4, Hernal 2, Camay 2, Miller 2, Buenaventura 2, Espiritu 0, Borromeo 0, Perez 0, Langit 0
PERPETUAL 66— Sleat 14, Alcantara 12, Boral 11, Gojo Cruz 10, Casinillo 8, Maglupay 5, Abis 3, Tulabut 3, Nunez 0, Guibao 0, Orgo 0, Roluna 0, Pizzaro 0
Quarters: 19-14, 35-28, 47-54, 68-66
Third Game
LETRAN 68— Manalili 18, Roque 12, Estrada 10, Rosilio 8, Cuajao 7, Tapenio 6, Omega 3, Yusi 2, Buensalida 2, Santos 0
BENILDE 58— Liwag 11, Umali 7, Ancheta 7, Gaspay 5, Celis 5, Cometa 4, Oli 4, Moore 3, Cajucom 2, Daja 2, Eusebio 2, Gonzaga 2, Galas 2, Torres 2, Victoria 0, Ynot 0
Quarters: 22-14, 37-33, 56-49, 68-58
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