Adamson University finally barged into the win column of the Playtime Cares Filoil 18th Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive after outlasting University of the East, 71–67, in overtime on Monday.
Matty Erolon spearheaded the Soaring Falcons with 17 points and four assists, draining five three-pointers — including a clutch go-ahead triple with 2:13 left in the extra period to push Adamson ahead, 66–65.
From there, the Falcons held their nerve and iced the game at the free throw line to notch their first victory of the tournament.
“We know what he could give us. He needs to look for consistency, ‘yun lang naman yon,” said head coach Nash Racela about Erolon, who is stepping up to embrace a bigger role as one of the team’s veterans.
“Nai-in love kasi ito eh,” Racela joked. “Inspired ‘yan kaya ganyan. Pero sana lahat ng players namin inspired. Sa lahat ng mga players namin, that’s something that we really demand from them.”
Rookie Earl Medina continued his solid preseason run with 11 points and seven rebounds, while Ray Allen Torres added 11 points, four steals, and three boards to help Adamson improve to 1–3 in this tournament backed by major sponsors PlayTime Cares, Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Bostik El Heneral, Jiang Nan Hotpot, Lamtex Pipes, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas, with Harbor Star, Wallem, Akari, BDO, Tela.com Athletics, Nature’s Spring, Reyes Barbecue, and Brothers Burger as minor sponsors.
Despite the win, Adamson nearly threw the game away, squandering a 17-point lead in the first half and needing overtime to secure the result.
UE big man Precious Momowei powered the Red Warriors’ second-half comeback with a massive double-double of 23 points, 24 rebounds, and three steals — but went scoreless in the overtime period.
John Abate chipped in 22 points and five assists, but it wasn’t enough as the Red Warriors dropped to 0–4.
Jose Rizal University snapped a five-game losing skid with a 71–64 victory over Lyceum of the Philippines University.
Harry Herrera stepped up for the Heavy Bombers, delivering a double-double performance with 21 points and 11 rebounds, picking up the slack for fellow rookie Sanlea Peñaverde, who had an off night. Team captain Shawn Argente also shone with 19 points as JRU improved to 2–5.
Joshua Moralejo led the 1–4 Pirates with 13 points and five boards in a losing effort.
Meanwhile, Arellano University spoiled the return of San Beda University, pulling off a tight 73–70 win.
The Chiefs got a strong lift from their bench, with Maverick Minoya and Yuan Camay combining for 23 points to give Arellano back-to-back wins and a 3–3 record.
San Beda’s 18 turnovers proved costly despite Janti Miller’s impressive 20-point, 11-rebound performance, as the Red Lions slid to 1–2.
The Scores:
First Game:
JRU 71 – Herrera 21, Argente 19, Garupil 9, Benitez 7, Peñaverde 6, Lozano 4, Pangilinan 4, Castillo 1, Canoza 0, Esguerra 0, Panapanaan 0.
LPU 64 – Moralejo 13, Peñafiel 9, Montaño 7, Versoza 6, Panelo 6, Daileg 5, Barba 5, Aviles 4, Aurigue 4, Matienzo 3, Pallingayan 2, Fuentes 0, Reyes -, Casiño 0, Paulo 0, Caduyac 0.
Quarterscores: 15-21, 37-37, 52-45, 71-64.
Second Game:
AU 73 – Vinoya 13, Ongotan 11, Camay 10, Abiera 8, Libang 8, Geronimo 7, Valencia 6, Hernal 4, Cabotaje 2, Flores 2, Buenaventura 2, Langit 0, Miller 0, Demetria 0, Espiritu 0.
SBU 70 – Miller 20, Estacio 15, Etulle 13, Celzo 7, Culdora 6, Calimag Jr. 4. Vailoces 3, Bonzalida 2, Gonzales 0, Mina 0, Medroso 0, Hawkins 0.
Quarterscores: 21-16, 42-36, 56-56, 73-70.
Third Game:
ADU 71 – Erolon 17, Torres 11, Medina 11, Montebon 8, Perez 6, Competente 5, Ojarikre 4, Sajili 4, Fransman 3, Ronzone 2, Canete 0, Tumaneng 0.
UE 67 – Momowei 23, Abate 22, Lingolingo 8, Mulingtapang 7, Malaga 4, Datumalim 3, Lagat 0, Malaga 0, Cabero 0, Jimenez 0, Despi 0.
Quarterscores: 20-11, 40-27, 45-47, 61-61, 71-67.
