UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas followed Forthsky Padrigao's lead to fend off very game Adamson, 69-62, in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive, Thursday at the Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.
After racing to a 10-2 start and nursing that comfortable margin, the Growling Tigers lifted their foot off the pedal and allowed the Soaring Falcons to creep to as close as two, 62-64, with 54 ticks to go.
Off a timeout, head coach Pido Jarencio relit the fire under their bellies and the black-and-gold tightened up its defense, as Nigerian Peter Osang and Padrigao widened their separation by going a combined 3-of-4 from free throws.
"We're using this preseason naman to learn. Kasama na dun yung composure, na nandun naman kanina, especially yung leadership ni Forth," said assistant coach Japs Cuan.
Padrigao wound up with 22 points, including five triples, on top of four steals, three rebounds, and three assists, while Osang turned in three markers, six boards, four blocks, and two pilfers. Gelo Crisostomo also chimed in 14 points to help offset the absence of Nic Cabanero en route to a 2-0 start 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.
Now, UST and the University of the Philippines are joined at the hip atop the leaderboard ahead of the former's finals rematch with La Salle on Saturday and the latter's duel with Far Eastern University two days later.
NCAA debuts
Meanwhile, Perpetual gave a rude reception to undermanned San Beda, 67-58.
With all eyes on the supposed first game of Fil-American Janti Miller, the Altas instead turned an early four-point deficit into a 21-12 opening salvo and never looked back. Mark Gojo Cruz topped the scoring column with 13 points, but it was Patrick Sleat who tallied an all-around eight markers, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals to show the way in levelling their record to 1-1.
Miller was inactive for the Red Lions, who were paced by Zane Jalbuena who had 13 points.
In the other clash in the NCAA Group, Emilio Aguinaldo College kept San Sebastian and new mentor Rob Labagala winless with a 68-60 decision.
Joshua Tolentino top-scored for the debuting Generals with 12 points in perfect 4-of-4 and 3-of-3 shooting from the field and the line, respectively. Kyle Ochavo and Jude Bagay then added 11 and 10 markers of their own.
The Golden Stags only had Ralph Gabat breaching double-digit scoring with 14 points, as they continue to adjust to the ex-Ginebra player's leadership.
The Scores:
First Game
EAC 68 - Tolentino 12, Ochavo 11, Bagay 10, Shanoda 8, Quinal 5, Castillo 4, Villarente 4, Angeles 3, Omandac 3, Oftana 2, Loristo 2, Bacud 2, Jacob 2, Cudiamat 0, Devara 0, Postanes 0
SAN SEBASTIAN 60 - Gabat 14, Nepacena 8, Gomez de Liano 8, Pillado 6, Lumanag 6, Acosta 5, Felebrico 4, Castor 4, Ricio 3, Ilagan 2, Cabilla 0, Pascual 0
Quarters: 22-17, 34-34, 50-45, 68-60
Second Game
UST 69 - Padrigao 22, Crisostomo 14, Llemit 7, Buenaflor 6, Mara 6, Bucsit 6, Osang 3, Alao 3, Danting 2, Acido 0, Estacio 0, Calum 0, Mahmood 0
ADAMSON 62 - Mantua 10, Fransman 9, Ronzone C 8, Medina 7, Manzano 7, Gaye 6, Anabo 4, Ronzone A 3, Sajili 2, Tumaneng 2, Competente 2, Sicat 2, Demisana 0, Edding 0, Barcelona 0
Quarters: 17-8, 40-31, 58-47, 69-62
Third Game
PERPETUAL 67 - Gojo Cruz 13, Casinillo 10, Sleat 8, Duremdes 8, Boral 6, Abis 4, Nunez 3, Pagulayan 3, Maglupay 3, Tulabut 3, Borja 2, Alcantara 2, Cristino 2, Magdangal 0, Baldoria 0
SAN BEDA 58 - Jalbuena 13, Reyes 9, Calimag RC 8, Medroso 7, Lina 6, Jamora 5, Calimag Ri 3, Gonzales 3, Estacio 2, Vailoces 2, Bonzalida 0, Hawkins 0, Lopez 0, Culdora 0, Torres 0
Quarters: 21-12, 38-26, 57-47, 67-58
Fourth Game
UP 89 - Fortea 19, Abadiano 13, Nnoruka 13, Belmonte 10, Stevens 10, Remogat 8, Yniguez 6, Briones 3, Coronel 2, Gagate 2, Alter 2, Torres 1, Felicilda 0, Andres 0
UE 81 - Momowei 23, Abate 20, Lingolingo 15, Mulingtapang 9, Robles 4, Jimenez 0, Despi 0, Malaga 0, Lagat 0, Spandonis 0
Quarters: 20-16, 43-41, 67-59, 89-71
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