AFTER four intense crossover quarterfinals matchups in the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup, three UAAP teams - FEU, the University of the Philippines, and La Salle - are all moving on, while Letran was the lone NCAA team to advance to the next round.
In a thrilling finish, Jorick Bautista drained a buzzer-beating triple that shot FEU into the semifinals, as they rallied by Benilde, 74-73, on Saturday inside San Juan’s Filoil EcoOil Centre.
With less than three ticks remaining, Bautista - who by then had only made one of his 10 attempts from the field - was found wide open by Jedrick Daa and punctuated the Tamaraws’ comeback win.
“Sabi ng mga teammates ko, keep going lang kahit hindi ako maka-shoot. Kasi good shot naman yung tinitira and kunin ko lang yung lakas ko sa depensa which is yun yung ginawa ko,” said Bautista.
“Thank you sa mga coaching staff na naniwala pa rin sa akin kahit na nag-struggle ako,” he added.
The rookie duo of Veejay Pre and Janrey Pasaol came up big, combining for 39 points to help FEU charge into the next round in head coach Sean Chambers’ first year at the helm.
Facing off against the Tamaraws is UP which stamped its class on Mapua, 94-75, for the eighth straight win in as many games in its title defense.
READ: Why did UP still play in Filoil Preseason after withdrawing from Pinoyliga?
Jhommel Ancheta and Tony Ynot paced the Blazers with 20 and 16 points, respectively, as Clint Escamis wound up with 21 points and five assists for the Cardinals.
Rivalry rekindled, again
In the other bracket, La Salle dominated age-old rival San Beda, 94-80, behind Kevin Quiambao’s 15-point, seven-rebound outing.
“They know that these are the defending NCAA champions. We gave everybody a reminder that if you mess around with these champions, they’re gonna hurt you. So we just stick to what works for us and the players just responded,” said mentor Topex Robinson.
Raven Cortez and Doy Dungo supported Quiambao with 12 points apiece, as they bounced back from an eliminations-ending loss to National U.
Awaiting the Green Archers, however, is another longtime fierce foe in Letran which gutted out a thrilling 70-66 triumph over UE.
“Well, No. 1, sabi ko lang, this is the best opportunity for you guys, so make the most out of it. Ang habol naman natin dito is matuto coming into the season,” said newly-formalized tactician Allen Ricardo.
Squires standout Titing Manalili caught fire with 19 points, four rebounds, and five assists, including the game-tying trey down the stretch. Deo Cuajao and Edzel Galoy also punched in 22 and 10 points, respectively, for the Knights.
John Abate led the Red Warriors with 14 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Bryan Sajonia top scored the Red Lions with 15 points
BOX SCORES
FIRST GAME
LETRAN 70 - Cuajao 22, Manalili 19, Galoy 10, Go 4, Nunag 4, Dimaano 3, Baliling 3, Montecillo 2, Pradela 2, Jumao-As 1.
UE 66 - Abate 14, Maga 13, Momowei 10, Galang 9, Mulingtapang 6, Spandonis 6, Cruz-Dumont 4, Lingolingo 3, Robles 1, Niric 0, Malaga 0,
QUARTERS: 20-23, 36-44, 55-58, 70-66
SECOND GAME
FEU 74 - Pre 20, Pasaol 19, Konateh 15, Daa 6, Bautista 5, Alforque 4, Godinez 3, Ona 2, Bagunu 0, Felipe 0, Montemayor 0.
BENILDE 73 - Ancheta 20, Ynot 16, Liwag 10, Morales 7, Torres 7, Turco 4, Sangco 3, Cometa 2, Ondoa 2, Eusebio 2, Cajucom 0,
QUARTERS: 21-21, 36-41, 50-53, 74-73
THIRD GAME
UP 94 - Lopez 16, Udodo 15, Torculas 13, Briones 10, Alter 8, Abadiano 7, Cagulangan 7, Alarcon 6, Stevens 6, Bayla 4, Belmonte 2, Torres 0, Walker 0,
MAPUA 75 - Escamis 21, Fermin 12, Recto 11, Cuenco 5, Bancale 5, Hubilla 5, Mangubat 5, Jabonete 4, Abdulla 4, Pabilona 2, Concepcion 1, Igliane 0, Pantaleon 0,.
QUARTERS: 18-12, 44-27, 70-48, 94-75
FOURTH GAME
LA SALLE 94 - Quiambao 15, Cortez 12, Dungo 12, Austria 11, Abadam 10, Marasigan 8, Macalalag 6, Agunanne 5, Policarpio 4, Ramiro 4, Buenaventura 3, Rubico 2, Romero 2, Gaspay 0,
SAN BEDA 80 - Sajonia 15, Payosing 10, Andrada 10, Jalbuena 10, Tagle 9, Calimag 9, Bonzalida 8, Gonzales 3, Estacio 2, Hawkins 2,
Celzo 2, R. Calimag 0, Tagala 0, Torres 0, Royo 0.
QUARTERS: 31-25, 56-39, 83-59, 94-80
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