Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas kicked off their campaigns in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive with impressive wins, Thursday in San Juan.
The Tamaraws began their post-Veejay Pre era on a high note, pulling away from University of the East for a convincing 74–57 victory. Meanwhile, the Growling Tigers also made a strong impression, holding off National University in a tightly contested 75–71 decision.
“Veejay is our family. These are his brothers, and we’ll continue to support him. But for us, it’s next man up,” said Tamaraws head coach Sean Chambers, addressing Pre’s departure while emphasizing confidence in his current roster.
FEU showed poise and cohesion behind the familiar trio of Jorick Bautista, Jedric Daa, and Janrey Pasaol.
The trio powered FEU’s 22-point explosion in the fourth quarter, with the Tamaraws building a lead as large as 20 points, 72–52.
Bautista led the way with 18 points, including a pair of three-pointers, and dished out four assists.
Daa added 14 points and five rebounds, while Pasaol contributed seven points, six assists, four rebounds, and four steals. The Morayta-based squad finished with an 8-of-30 shooting clip from beyond the arc.
“I really feel we have the most talented guards in the league. They’re playing at a high level,” Chambers added.
John Abate poured in 22 points while Nico Mulingtapang added 12 points in a losing effort for under newly appointed head coach Chris Gavina, whose Red Warriors are still in the early stages of adjustment.
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On the other hand, Gelo Crisostomo shone in his preseason debut for the Growling Tigers with 17 points and seven rebounds to lead UST. Nic Cabañero and Kyle Paranada added 12 points apiece in the win.
Jolo Manansala led the Bulldogs in the loss with 10 points while Tebol Garcia added nine points.
Over in the NCAA bracket of this preseason tournament backed by PlayTime Cares, Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Bostik El Heneral, Jiang Nan Hotpot, Lamtex Pipes, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas as major sponsors, with Harbor Star, Wallem, Akari, BDO, Tela.com Athletics, Nature’s Spring, Reyes Barbecue, and Brothers Burger as minor sponsors, Saint Benilde kept its slate clean with a 79–73 escape over Arellano to improve to 2–0 while Mapua staved off Lyceum 71-63.
Ian Torres and Matthew Oli each had 13 points for the Blazers.
The Cardinals leaned on the explosive scoring of Cyril Gonzales (24 points) and Ivan Lazarte (21 points) to bounce back.
The Scores:
First Game:
MU 71 – Gonzales 24, Lazarte 21, Abdulla 8, Recto 7, Concepcion 4, Escamis 4, Agemenyi 2, Ryan 1, Reyno 0, Pantaleon 0.
LPU 63 — Moralejo 8, Montaño 8, Barba 7, Casiño 7, Panelo 7, Daileg 7, Caduyac 5, Villegas 5, Peñafiel 4, Versoza 3, Pallingayan 2, Fuentes 0, Aurigue 0.
Quarterscores: 10-17, 29-31, 45-45, 71-63.
Second Game:
FEU 74 — Bautista 18, Daa 14, Felipe 10, Konateh 8, Pasaol 7, Bagunu 6, Nakai 6, Salangsang 5, Ona 0, Shelton 0, Jones 0, Galvez 0.
UE 57 — Abate 22, Mulingtapang 12, Momowei 8, C. Cruz-Dumont 6, H. Cruz-Dumont 4, Distrito 3, Robles 2, Malaga 0, Despi 0, Spandonis 0, Jimenez 0, Datumalim 0, Cabero 0, Lagat 0.
Quarterscores: 16-18, 33-32, 52-43, 74-57.
Third Game:
CSB 79 — Oli 13, Torres 13, Umali 11, Gonzaga 9, Celis 6, Cajucom 5, Torres 5, Ancheta 5, Liwag 4, Daja 3, Moore 3, Cometa 3, Gaspay 2, Galas 2, Jalalon 0, Morales 0, Ondoa 0.
AU 73 — Vinoya 15, Libang 14, Ongotan 11, Abiera 9, Geronimo 8, Miller 4, Cabotaje 3, Langit 3, Camay 2, Valencia 2, Hernal 1, Demetria 1 Buenaventura 0, Anama 0, Borromeo 0.
Quarterscores: 24-19, 45-47, 56-61, 79-73.
Fourth Game:
UST 75 — Crisostomo 17, Cabañero 12, Paranada 12, Padrigao 11, Bucsit 6, Osang 5, Danting 4, Llemit 4, Buenaflor 2, Estacio 2, Acido 2, Mahmood 2, Calum 0, Danting 0.
NU 71— Manansala 10, Garcia 9, Palacielo 8, Parks 7, Jumamoy 7, Padrones 6, Figueroa 6, John 6, Enriquez 4, Santiago 4, Tulabut 0, Dela Cruz 0, Colonia 0, Reyes 0.
Quarterscores: 19-17, 39-32, 59-48, 75-71.
