UE remains alive and kicking in the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup following a 66-60 triumph over University of Santo Tomas, Saturday in San Juan's Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Precious Momowei was brilliant all game long and finished with a 15-point, 19-rebound double-double, as John Abate and Ethan Galang flanked him with 16 and 15 markers, respectively.
The Red Warriors detonated a massive 24-6 third quarter blast to take control of the contest and ultimately keep their semifinals hopes alive at 3-3.
Angelo Crisostomo scattered 12 points and six rebounds for the Growling Tigers who fell to a 2-3 slate, as Nic Cabañero listed 11 points and seven boards and Peter Osang provided 15 boards and three points.
Starting to spread their wings
Also fanning the flames for the next round is Adamson after turning back slumping National U in a 57-53 overtime win.
Cedrick Manzano was the lone Soaring Falcon in double-figures with 19 points laced with eight boards, but that was more than enough for their second win in five games.
On the other hand, the Bulldogs failed to sustain the momentum from their breakthrough win to drop to 1-4, even with Jolo Manansala collecting 15 points and seven boards and Jake Figueroa tallying 12 points and two assists.
Living up to the Blazer monicker
Over in the NCAA bracket, Benilde remained atop the standings with a 5-1 slate, while LPU improved to 2-6 after separate impressive wins.
The Blazers turned in a 71-69 escape from San Beda behind Allen Liwag’s 14 points and nine rebounds alongside Tony Ynot who wound up with 10 markers and four boards.
The Pirates, for their part, registered their second win at the expense of Arellano, 88-82, with Simon Peñafiel at the forefront of the attack with 26 points and two rebounds.
Renzo Abiera’s 32 points and four boards went down the drain for the Chiefs who fell to a 3-4 record, while Nygel Gonzales spearheaded the Red Lions with 18 markers and two boards as they slid into a triple-tie with Mapua and Perpetual Help at 4-3.
READ: Debuting Jacob Bayla, UP pile onto Ateneo's woes
In the main event, UP claimed the Battle of Katipunan against Ateneo, 82-75.
The Scores:
FIRST GAME
UE 66 — Abate 16, Momowei 15, Galang 15, Lingolingo 8, Cruz-Dumont 7, Robles 5, Spandonis 0, Jardinico 0, Fong 0, Go 0, Niric 0, Malaga 0, Pacheco 0, Maga 0, Palaroan 0, Mulingtapang 0
UST 60 — Crisostomo 12, Cabañero 11, Paranada 9, Manaytay 6, Estacio 6, Pangilinan 5, Padrigao 4, Robinson 4, Osang 3, Castro 0, Andrews 0, Laure 0, Suba 0, Danting 0
QUARTERS: 16-18, 31-37, 55-43, 66-60
SECOND GAME
LPU 88 — Abiera 32, Dayrit 10, Valencia 10, Libang 8, Capulong 7, Hernal 4, Geronimo 4, Acop 2, Vinoya 2, Dela Cruz 2, Camay 1, Borromeo 0, Espiritu 0, Rosalin 0, Miller 0
ARELLANO 82 — Peñafiel 26, Montaño 17, Barba 15, Guadaña 11, Villegas 7, Aviles 6, Cunanan 2, Moralejo 2, Versoza 2, Lopez 0, Reyes 0
QUARTERS: 29-17, 45-44, 70-63, 88-82
THIRD GAME
ADAMSON 57 — Manzano 19, Anabo 8, Alexander 7, Mantua 6, Calisay 6, Ramos 4, Ignacio 2, Fransman 2, Mudianga 2, Ronzone 1
NU 53 — Manansala 15, Figueroa 12, Garcia 6, Yu 4, Enriquez 3, Santiago 3, Padrones 3, Lim 2, Diassana 2, Francisco 2, Gulapa 1, Dela Cruz 0, Jomamoy 0, Tulabut 0
QUARTERS: 16-9, 28-25, 32-33, 50-50, 57-53 (OT)
FOURTH GAME
BENILDE 71 — Liwag 14, Torres 10, Ynot 10, Sangco 9, Cometa 6, Ondoa 5, Morales 5, Ancheta 4, Galas 4, Eusebio 3, Turco 1, Cajucom 0, Serrano 0, Oli 0
SAN BEDA 69 — Gonzales 18, Tagle 13, Puno 12, Payosing 8, Sajonia 6, Bonzalida 3, Re. Calimag 3, Estacio 2, Celzo 2, Ri. Calimag 2, Tagala 0, Jalbuena 0, Torres 0, Royo 0
QUARTERS: 21-13, 39-33, 55-52, 71-69
FIFTH GAME
UP 82 — Cagulangan 16, Ududo 15, Torculas 14, Lopez 8, Alter 7, Alarcon 5, Bayla 5, Torres 4, Belmonte 3, Briones 3, Walker 2, Felicilda 0
ATENEO 75 — Bongo 16, Tuano 14, Amos 10, Espinosa 9, Bahay 8, Porter 7, Koon 6, Quitevis 3, Lazaro 2, Ebdane 0, Ong 0, Reyes 0, Espina 0
QUARTERS: 22-18, 39-39, 63-60, 82-75
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