Ateneo de Manila University wasted no time asserting its dominance in the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive, overpowering Adamson University, 72-52, on Saturday at the Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.
The Blue Eagles came out firing in the second quarter, unleashing a 26-point barrage to build a commanding 44-25 halftime lead and set the tone for the rout.
Travis Roberts was instrumental in that first-half surge, scoring eight of his 17 points along with three rebounds, while Kieffer Alas and Waki Espina added nine points apiece.
Coach Tab Baldwin, however, remained far from satisfied despite the promising showing in Ateneo’s debut in the premier preseason tilt, which has Hanes, Buffalo’s Wings N Things, Wallem, BDO, Akari, Smart, Molten, Reyes Barbecue, Nature’s Spring, Tela.com Athletics, Brothers Burger, and Don Benito’s as sponsors, following a two-week hiatus.
“We’re still a long way away from being able to play the kind of cohesive basketball that I want from the team,” he said. “But today was encouraging, especially our defense. It showed a lot of energy and it sustained itself.”
No Adamson player finished in double figures, with Ray Allen Torres leading the way with eight points in the loss as the Soaring Falcons dropped to 0-2 in the UAAP bracket.
Meanwhile, it was third time’s the charm for the University of Santo Tomas after an 83-75 victory over Far Eastern University.
Gelo Crisostomo scored 10 of his 22 points in the Growling Tigers’ third-quarter breakaway, finishing with seven rebounds and three assists, while Amiel Acido provided support with three triples en route to 20 points and six rebounds.
Kirk Cañete also made his presence felt as a starter with 11 points, while Collins Akowe added the same output along with 11 rebounds for a double-double as UST improved to 1-2.
Much of the heavy lifting for the Tamaraws came from their starters, with Kirby Mongcopa tallying 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Mo Konateh finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds as FEU absorbed its first loss in two outings.
In the NCAA group, Letran extended its win streak to three games with an 83-72 victory over Mapúa.
Titing Manalili led the Knights with 18 points, six assists, and five rebounds, while Lance Siena added 16 points built on three three-pointers.
But it was George Diamante who anchored the win, doing the dirty work with six points and nine rebounds as his presence inside helped Letran pull away in the fourth quarter, where it led by 13 points, 81-68, with 1:18 left.
“It’s a process para kay George. The past two years talagang naka-focus na siya dun sa aral but sabi ko lang sa kanya just take it one step at a time,” said coach Allen Ricardo of his incoming rookie after Letran improved to 3-1.
Cyrus Cuenco paced the Cardinals (1-1) with 14 points and nine rebounds in the loss.
Benilde (2-1) also bounced back with an 85-72 win over skidding Lyceum of the Philippines University (1-3).
Matt Jucom caught fire and drained five triples for a team-high 22 points as the Blazers shot 15-of-43 from beyond the arc.
Zenric Jarque added 16 points on four threes, SJ Moore contributed 11 points, and rookie Arle Podador chipped in 10 in the win.
The Pirates leaned on Matthew Rubico’s near triple-double of 15 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists in the losing effort.
The Scores:
First Game:
Benilde 85 – Jucom 22, Jarque 16, Moore 11, Podador 10, Celis 9, Ancheta 6, Lorenzo 5, Torres 2, Sanchez 2, Arciaga 2, Morales 0, Go 0, Baliquig 0, Ortega 0.
Lyceum 72 – Rubico 15, Aurigue 12, Daileg 10, Ondoa 8, Villegas 7, Almario 6, Aviles 4, Fuentes 3, Gordon 3, Pallingayan 2, Matienzo 2, Manuel 0, Caduyac 0, Panelo 0, Cardinas 0.
Quarterscores: 31-20, 43-42, 63-58, 85-72.
Second Game:
Letran 83 – Manalili 18, Siena 16, Sison-Walker 10, Cargo 7, Montecillo 7, Diamante 6, Estrada 6, Buensalida 5, Gammad 3, Santos 3, Silorio 2, Hugo 0, Valdeavilla 0, Muyuela 0.
Mapua 72 – Cuenco 14, Lloren 14, Lazarte 12, Concepcion 11, Igliane 8, L. Nitura 6, Diaz 5, Callangan 2, Ryan 0, Reyes 0, Timbol 0, Bernabe 0, Sacro 0, Mendoza 0, Dones 0.
Quarterscores: 14-18, 41-37, 56-54, 83-72.
Third Game:
UST 83 – Crisostomo 22, Acido 20, Akowe 11, Cañete 11, Calum 9, Esteban 4, Llemit 3, Porter 2, Buenaflor 1, Alao 0, Danting 0, Manding 0.
FEU 75 – Mongcopa 18, Cabonilas 17, Pasaol 15, Konateh 12, Bautista 8, Hall 3, Felipe 2, Daa 0, Mahmood 0, Rañeses 0.
Quarterscores: 21-18, 44-41, 64-56, 83-75.
Fourth Game:
Ateneo 72 – Roberts 17, Espina 9, Alas 9, Bahay 7, Kapihe 6, Rogers 6, Asoro 5, Bongo 3, Gamber 3, Baruwa 2, Leal 2, Cainglet 2, Espinosa 1, De Luna 0, Reyes 0.
ADU 52 – Torres 8, Montebon 6, Precious 6, Obusan 6, Demisana 6, Tumaneng 4, Mangaron 3, Anabo 3, Erolon 3, Fransman 2, Cañete 2, Perez 2, Sajili 1, Pacquiao 0, Jaymalin 0.
Quarterscores: 18-12, 44-25, 56-35, 72-52.
