Far Eastern University continued its strong start in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive, handing University of Santo Tomas its first defeat with a 72-63 victory, Monday in San Juan.
Jorick Bautista set the tone early with 12 of his 16 points coming in the first half, knocking down three triples in 11 attempts.
Kirby Mongcopa made his return to the Tamaraws with a commendable eight points and seven rebounds.
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Mo Konateh then anchored the Tamaraws in the second half with a dominant double-double of 16 points and 21 rebounds, helping FEU climb to a 2-0 record in the UAAP group of 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.
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Peter Osang led the Growling Tigers (2-1) with 17 points, eight rebounds, and two assists, while Gelo Crisostomo added 12 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.
UST continued to miss the services of senior guard Nic Cabañero, who remains in Qatar for national team duty in the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League.
In NCAA action, Mapua leaned on its new recruits to hold off Letran, 69-61, for back-to-back wins while Ian Torres delivered in crunch time to lift College of St. Benilde past Jose Rizal University, 79-76, in a thrilling comeback win.
Ex-UP guard Cyril Gonzales led the charge with 19 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting, adding two rebounds and an assist.
Ivan Lazarte, formerly from UST, added nine points and three boards, while former NU big man Joe Gulapa contributed eight points and six rebounds.
Clint Escamis, the NCAA Season 100 Finals MVP, also played a key role with 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
He emphasized the importance of team cohesion as the Cardinals begin to gel.
“Sobrang saya kasi ‘yung goal naman namin i-build ‘yung team chemistry,” said Escamis. “Hindi pa naman tayo sobrang 100-percent pero nakikita natin na nadedevelop na ‘yung chemistry. Nagpapasahan na, nagkakaamuyan na, so magandang use ito para sa amin.”
Jun Roque carried the load for Letran (2-1) with 15 points, while Luis Tapenio chipped in 12 points and nine rebounds.
However, Titing Manalili was held to just two points in the Knights’ first loss of the preseason tournament.
Torres scored the Blazers’ final seven points and finished with 15, extending their winning streak to four games.
Ernest Daja added 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting, while Mowell Morales powered a double-double performance with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Sanlea Peñaverde led JRU (1-1) with 17 points off the bench.
THE SCORES:
First game:
CSB 79 – Torres 15, Daja 15, Morales 11, Umali 10, Gaspay 7, Moore 7, Celis 4, Ancheta 3, Victoria 3, Cajucom 2, Gonzaga 2, Jalalon 0.
JRU 76 – Peñaverde 17, Argente 13, Pangilinan 11, Herrera 11, Lozano 8, Panapanaan 5, Sarmiento 4, Benitez 4, Garupi 3, Soleimani 0, Esguerra 0, Castillo 0.
Quarterscores: 21-21 41-38, 61-56, 79-76.
Second game:
MU 69 – Gonzales 19, Escamis 14, Lazarte 9, Gulapa 8, Delos Reyes 6, Concepcion 4, Sapasap 4, Nitura 3, Ryan 2, Abdulla 0, Recto 0.
CSJL 61 – Roque 15, Tapenio 12, Estrada 11, Omega 7, Santos 6, Rosillo 3, Cuajao 3, Yusi 2, Manalili 2, Montecillo 0, Buensalida 0.
Quarterscores: 22-17, 36-31, 55-48, 69-61.
Third game:
FEU 72 – Konateh 16, Bautista 16, Salangsang 10, Daa 8, Mongcopa 8, Pasaol 7, Montemayor 3, Felipe 2, Bagunu 2, Ona 0, Macapagal 0.
UST 63 – Osang 17, Crisostomo 12, Paranada 8, Estacio 6, Padrigao 4, Buenaflor 4, Bucsit 3, Acido 2, Danting 2, Mara 2, Calum 2, Laure 1, Alao 0.
Quarterscores: 28-16, 44-31, 57-48, 72-63.
