ATENEO turned in its best outing yet in the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup, but in the end inside the Filoil EcoOIl Centre on Saturday, the University of the Philippines still had all the answers for its modern-day rival.
Winless through five games in the preseason tournament, Andrew Bongo, Sean Tuano, and the Blue Eagles were nonetheless taking it to the Fighting Maroons for majority of the match.
The neighboring schools were still knotted up at 68-all with under six minutes remaining until a Sean Alter slam and a Jacob Bayla jam highlighted a 10-0 State U surge that proved to be the difference for an 82-75 decision.
A ho-hum debut with a highlight
Bayla wound up with just five points and two rebounds in his first official game in maroon and white, but was on the floor in the pivotal push that locked up the top seed in the UAAP bracket.
"Maganda yung energy niya sa loob, but just like any other rookie, importante is ma-immerse siya kung anong kultura ng team at ng community. Kailangan pa niya matutunan kung ano ang standards ng team," said assistant coach Christian Luanzon after their sixth win in as many games.
The Filipino-American just arrived in the Philippines two days ago after settling all his affairs back in California. He is yet to practice with the Fighting Maroons, with whom he officially committed in early May.
Do you see, fully-loaded
JD Cagulangan, of course, showed the way for the league-leaders with 16 points, while Aldous Torculas posted a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double. Bayla's debut was much-welcome for their side as they were missing the services of Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, and Gani Stevens.
Despite playing without such key players, UP got contributions from up and down a roster that continues to live up to its lofty billing.
"I've been with coach Gold [Monteverde] for years and whether we have a deep team or 'di masyadong malalim, it's always the same for him. Who's the best five on the floor," said Luanzon.
"Even a Carl Tamayo, a Zavier Lucero, or a Malick Diouf, kung 'di maganda yung laro, yung five na maganda yung laro, yun yung maglalaro. Ganun lagi si coach Gold and I don't think that's changing."
For Ateneo, Bongo topped the scoring column with 16 points plus five rebounds, as Tuano also added 14 markers and five boards of his own. While the sophomores put on their strongest showing yet, they are still the lone winless team and have been eliminated from contention in the Filoil Preseason.
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