LA SALLE stayed spotless in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive after going full throttle against Far Eastern University for a 90-66 decision, Friday at the Playtime Cares Filoil Centre in San Juan.
In doing so, the Green Archers rose to a still-perfect 4-0 in the standings, while also joining University of Santo Tomas in the quarterfinals.
Kean Baclaan and Mike Phillips connived for 13 points in the 22-8 run that increased a two-point edge early in the second quarter into a 41-25 advantage right before halftime. La Salle kept its foot on the gas to mount a lead as big as 33, 83-50, in the final frame.
Baclaan finished with 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists, as Phillips posted 10 markers, nine boards, and three dimes. First-year Fil-Am big Dom Sarmiento was also a pleasant surprise with nine points, all from threes.
"It's all part of what we're trying to build in our team, just knowing your roles, being ready for the opportunity being given to you, and playing for each other," said head coach Topex Robinson.
With the win, La Salle gave an assist to UAAP tormentor University of the Philippines which is now assured of a place in the next round as well with its 3-2 record.
Mo Konateh pounded in a 15-point, 17-rebound double-double to show the way for the 3-2 Tamaraws. Though they have alike records, the Fighting Maroons own the head-to-head tiebreaker.
As such, the remaining playoff berth from the UAAP Group will be disputed by FEU and National University, which stayed alive courtesy of a 61-46 rout of Adamson.
No Bulldog finished in double-digits, but Jolo Manansala flirted with a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds, as Reinhard Jumamoy tallied nine markers and four assists of his own.
"Lagi lang naman naming china-challenge etong mga players na dapat, mabawi namin kung anuman yung nawala sa'min last (UAAP) season," said head coach Jeff Napa, as they improved to 2-3.
The blue-and-gold raced to an 8-0 start and never looked back, even erecting a 32-13 halftime lead. Defense was their calling card, turning 15 turnovers into 16 points, and clipping the Falcons' wings to 28.1-percent shooting from the field.
Matty Erolon paced Adamson with 12 points, as they suffered their fourth defeat in five games.
San Beda comes back to life
In the NCAA bracket, San Beda frustrated Emilio Aguinaldo College, 70-66, to hike its record to 3-4.
Down 13, 10-23, after the opening salvo, the Red Lions regrouped behind Jomel Puno, Janti Miller, and Zed Etulle who all wound up with 14 points.
Through already out of contention, San Beda complicated the Generals' pursuit of the top-seed out of the NCAA Group in the tourney 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.
Jude Bagay topped the scoring column for 6-2 EAC with 12 points.
The Scores:
First Game
SAN BEDA 70 - Puno 14, Miller 14, Etulle 14, Andrada 10, Culdora 8, Calimag 6, Vailoces 2, Gonzales 2, Estacio 0, Jamora 0, Lina 0, Buenzalida 0, Jalbuena 0, Songcuya 0
EAC 66 - Bagay 12, Quinal 10, Castillo 9, Omandac 8, Angeles 7, Ochavo 7, Shanoda 6, Postanes 3, Oftana 2, Doria 2, Villarente 0, Loristo 0, De vera 0, Jacob 0, Bacud 0
Quarters: 10-23, 36-38, 60-54, 70-66
Second Game
NATIONAL U 61 - Jumamoy 9, Manansala 9, Parks 8, Palacielo 7, Enriquez 5, Francisco 5, Dela Cruz 4, Navarro 4, Padrones 4, Alfanta 2, Tulabut 2, Reyes 2, Solomon 0, Locsin 0
ADAMSON 46 - Erolon 12, Anabo 8, Torres 5, Sajili 4, Montebon 3, Perez 3, Sicat 3, Gaye 2, A Ronzone 2, C Ronzone 2, Ojarikre 2, Barcelona 0, Competente 0, Canete 0, Tumaneng 0
Quarters: 12-5, 32-13, 43-25, 61-46
Third Game
LA SALLE 90 - Baclaan 14, Philips 10, Pablo 9, Sarmiento 9, Alian 8, Melencio 8, Cortez J 7, Amos CJ 7, Nwanko 5, Amos M 4, Dagdag 3, Macalalag 2, Abadam 2, Dungo 2, Cortez M 0, Zamora 0
FEU 66 - Konateh 15, Pasaol 9, Ona 7, Bagunu 6, Salansang 6, Mongcopa 5, Jones 5, Bautista 4, Felipe 4, Montemayor 3, Galvez 2, Macapagal 0, Beato 0
Quarters: 17-15, 45-29, 66-46, 90-66
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
