IT'S the University of the Philippines facing off against La Salle once more in the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup Finals after both aced tough tests put up by FEU and Letran, Sunday inside San Juan’s Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Maroons fought off a resurgent FEU side, 89-77, to remain perfect in their title defense.
Just as UP thought momentum was completely on its side with a 15-point lead late in the third quarter, seldom-used, pint-sized guard Jon Godinez and sharpshooter Jorick Bautista sparked the Tamaraws’ charge to as close as 69-72 with under eight minutes remaining.
Off a much-needed timeout, however, the Maroons countered with a 16-3 run for an 88-72 advantage with 3:12 left. Their defense then finished the job, as they marched forward to another meeting with the Green Archers, whom they defeated in last year’s title game.
“The fashion that [FEU] won (yesterday), obviously, with the game-winner. Yung fighting until the end attitude nila kahapon, we expected na dadalhin nila yung ganung momentum papasok sa larong ito,” said assistant coach Christian Luanzon.
UP counted two players in double-digits in Francis Lopez with 22 points plus seven boards, as well as JD Cagulangan with an all-around 13 markers, nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
READ: La Salle wins UAAP title as UP fires blanks in wild finish to Game 3
The Maroons now turn their attention to another showdown with La Salle in the winner-take-all final on Wednesday still at the same venue. State U triumphed in the two teams’ elimination round meeting, 89-77, but the Taft-based squad also has confidence coming from its three-game conquest of UP in the UAAP Season 86 championship round last year.
Letran pushes La Salle to the limit
Still, the Green Archers have a lot to work on after having to fend off the no-quit Knights until the final buzzer for a 91-87 decision.
The reigning kings of the UAAP mounted a lead as big as 24, 80-56, courtesy of an Earl Abadam jumper early in the fourth period. Letran kept coming, however, behind impact rookies Jonathan Manalili and Jovel Baliling to close to within three, 87-90, with nine ticks to go.
Sent to the line, La Salle first-year guard Lian Ramiro made the first and missed the second, but Kevin Quiambao collared the offensive rebound to seal the deal.
Quiambao wound up with a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double to go with five assists, but turned the ball over six times. Jonnel Policarpio was error-prone himself with five turnovers, but compensated by also collecting 19 markers, nine boards, five dimes, three steals, and two blocks.
Nonetheless, Green Archers mentor Topex Robinson had high praise for Letran, saying: “I’m excited for what Letran will be in the coming season of the NCAA because they really are a good team… That was a good game for us.”
Manalili wound up with 13 points, eight assists, and three rebounds, as Baliling also added 13 of his own. The Knights - the lone NCAA team in the Final Four of the preseason showcase - bow out of contention, but will still have the Battle for Third to look forward to.
Challenging them there is FEU which was paced by the 20 points and six rebounds of Veejay Pre, as well as Bautista’s 16 markers.
Meanwhile, Letran’s Stephen Garupil and Benilde’s Ian Torres were the last two players standing, as they dispute the Hanes 1-on-1 King of the Hardcourt crown also on Wednesday.
Garupil nipped La Salle’s Ethan Alian, 10-8, while Torres took down UP’s Nicco Tan, 9-6, to arrange the championship showdown. Both will be looking to make history as they seek to become the second 1-on-1 champ for their schools, with Blazer Prince Carlos winning the maiden cup in 2018 and Knight King Caralipio taking the throne in 2019.
The Scores:
FIRST GAME
UP 89 — Lopez 22, Cagulangan 13, Abadiano 8, Alter 8, Bayla 8, Belmonte 6, Ududo 6, Alarcon 5, Torculas 4, Stevens 3, Torres 3, Briones 3, Rivero 0, Walker 0, Tan 0
FEU 77 — Pre 20, Bautista 16, Pasaol 11, Konateh 9, Daa 8, Godinez 7, Alforque 4, Bagunu 2, Taboctaboc 0, Ona, Gordon 0, Felipe 0, Montemayor 0, Beato 0
QUARTERS: 27-26, 43-38, 70-60, 89-77
SECOND GAME
LA SALLE 91 — Agunanne 19, Policarpio 19, Gollena 11, Quiambao 10, Ramiro 8, Dungo 6, Abadam 4, Macalalag 4, Austria 4, Marasigan 2, Buenaventura 2, Alian 2, Cortez 0, Gaspay 0, Rubico 0
LETRAN 87 — Manalili 13, Baliling 13, Montecillo 11, Galoy 11, Cuajao 11, Go 8, Jumao-As 6, Nunag 6, Dimaano 6, Pradela 2, Garupil 0, Tangkay 0, Alarcon 0, Brillantes 0
QUARTERS: 33-24, 56-43, 74-56, 91-87
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