UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas' strong start and even finer finish were more than enough to upend the University of the Philippines' rally in the middle periods on Monday at the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Behind a 16-0 blitz right after tip-off, the Growling Tigers scored a wire-to-wire 90-81 triumph over the University of the Philippines to get back on track in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive.
Gelo Crisostomo continued to impress with 24 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists, as skipper Nic Cabañero drilled 13 markers in UST's return to form in the tilt 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.
Crisostomo dropped 13 in the black-and-gold's strong start before the Fighting Maroons lived up to their name and battled back to just down five, 62-67, early in the final frame.
It was at that point, however, that Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao combined for 14 points to quell the State U uprising once and for all.
“Of course, it’s a big deal for us, kasi siyempre, defending champion (sila). We're just happy with the result and we're happy na nandito na si captain Cabañero,” said assistant coach Japs Cuan, speaking on behalf of shot-caller Pido Jarencio.
For UP, Nigerian center Francis Nnoruka fronted the attack with a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Reyland Torres chipped in 12 markers of his own.
Already missing injured Gerry Abadiano and Rey Remogat, the Fighting Maroons also lost Harold Alarcon to ejection with 47 ticks to go. They suffered their second straight setback to fall to 2-2.
Knights charge to 3-0
Over the NCAA bracket, Letran barged back into the winners' circle, as Lyceum finally earned a breakthrough win in three tries.
The Knights weathered Emilio Aguinaldo College's second half storm, 81-72, behind Jimboy Estrada's 17 points.
Jun Roque also added 15 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals, as 3-1 Letran stayed at solo second, while also putting the first blemish on the 2-1 Generals' record.
For their part, Gyle Montano shot the Pirates over San Sebastian, 84-70, with 17 points built on three triples.
JM Bravo then chimed in 12 points and nine rebounds, as Lyceum kept the Golden Stags (0-4) locked out of the win column.
The Scores:
First Game
LYCEUM 84 — Montaño 17, Bravo 12, Casiño 11, Daileg 8, Panelo 7, Moralejo 6, Caduyac 6, Peñafiel 6, Villegas 6, Matienzo 2, Aurigue 2, Reyes 1, Paulo 1, Pallingayan 0, Fuentes 0
SAN SEBASTIAN 70 — Gabat 12, Castor 11, Pillado 10, Lumanag 10, Are 8, Nepacena 7, Dimaunahan 6, Acosta 3, Felebrico 3, Ilagan 0, Ricio 0, Pascual 0, Cabilla 0, Gomez de Liaño 0, Buenaflor 0, Kitane 0
Quarters: 22-20, 44-37, 63-52, 84-70
Second Game
LETRAN 81 — Estrada 17, Roque 15, Tapenio 10, Manalili 9, Santos 6, Omega 6, Rosilio 5, Buensalida 5, Yusi 5, Estil 3, Montecillo 0
EAC 72 — Castillo 23, Bagay 18, Omandac 13, Oftana 7, Loristo 3, Dominguez 2, Ochavo 2, Shanoda 2, Villarente 2, Tolentino 0, Quinal 0, Jacob 0, Postanes 0, Angeles 0, Doria 0
Quarters: 23-13, 55-30, 66-58, 81-72
Third Game
UST 90 — Crisostomo 24, Cabañero 13, Paranada 12, Acido 12, Osang 10, Padrigao 10, Llemit 7, Laure 2, Estacio 0, Calum 0, Alao 0, Danting 0, Bucsit 0, Buenaflor 0
UP 81 — Nnoruka 19, Torres 12, Alarcon 11, Yriiguez 11, Stevens 10, Felicida 6, Alter 6, Bayla 3, Fortea 2, Gagate 1, Tan 0, Andres 0, Coronel 0, Briones 0
Quarters: 28-9, 48-33, 67-59, 90-81
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