Harold Alarcon scored seven of his 16 points in the last four minutes as University of the Philippines secured a well-earned 72-65 win against fellow UAAP contender National University on Saturday at San Juan’s Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Trailing by two points with 5:32 remaining in the heavyweight bout of the 2023 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, the Fighting Maroons turned to Alarcon, who strung together seven straight points to cap off a pivotal 13-0 run.
“I think he’s been taking shots he’s been working on. Yung timing of getting shots and making them, I think, malaki na rin yung in-improve niya,” said head coach Goldwin Monteverde of his third-year versatile wing who also had four rebounds and four assists.
With a nine-point lead of 72-61 and only 2:31 left on the clock, State U couldn’t convert any more attempts. But, at the same time, only allowed four more points from their opponents to secure their fifth win in seven games in Group II.
“Gumanda depensa namin sa dulo. For the first three quarters, depensa namin was very off. Good thing, pumick up yung defense,” added Monteverde, as they limited the Bulldogs to 36.9 percent shooting from the field.
Malick Diouf also made a significant contribution with 14 points, four rebounds, and two assists for UP.
The Fighting Maroons faced a tough challenge from National U in a game that featured nine deadlocks and multiple lead changes.
Meanwhile, Mapua University and College of St. Benilde strengthened their bids for the next round of the premiere preseason tournament supported by Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Akari, Reyes BBQ, BDO, Kalos Sportswear, and Molten.
The Cardinals, led by Warren Bonifacio’s performance, overcame a slow start and defeated Arellano University, 92-76. The fifth-year big man showcased his much-improved all-around game with 16 points, including a couple of triples, eight rebounds, and six assists. He helped his team recover from a nine-point deficit early in the second quarter.
The Cardinals scored more than 21 points in each of the last three periods, securing a bounce-back win that improved their standing in Group I to 4-2.
“Kay Boni, sinasabi namin sa kanya, after etong last season niya na ‘to, kailangan multi-talented na siya. Hindi na pwedeng kung big man ka, big man ka lang,” said assistant coach Nani Epondulan, speaking for shot-caller Randy Alcantara.
Bonifacio received support from Kobe Dalisay, who scored 18 points; and Clint Escamis, who recorded a double-double of 12 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.
On the other hand, the Blazers staged a comeback from an eight-point deficit in the third quarter to frustrate San Beda University with a 96-87 victory. Migs Oczon led the team with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, catching fire in the final frame with 13 points.
Robi Nayve added 25 points and three rebounds, contributing to the green-and-white’s Group I record of 5-2.
“We couldn’t defend them in transition in the first half, but we did better in the second half. Migs hit big shots, Robi made big plays, and our guys stepped up,” said head coach Charles Tiu.
With NCAA Season 98 MVP Will Gozum behind the bench for the first time in the tourney, Benilde was still trailing 82-84 with 5:30 to go. Then Oczon and Nayve connived for 11 unanswered points in the next four minutes for a 93-84 edge that proved to be the difference.
In another NCAA matchup, San Sebastian College-Recoletos got back on track in Group I by jumping on Jose Rizal University, 91-83.
Reggz Gabat did the heavy lifting with 23 points built on five treys to lead four other Golden Stags in double-digits, as they snapped their four-game slump to improve to 2-4.
“Pagdating ko sa Baste, day one, he was the earliest sa mga players and he was the last to go out. Sabi ko sa kanya, with his work ethic, ‘di na pwedeng role player ka lang,” said head coach John Kallos.
For the 0-6 Chiefs, Jude Bagay showed the way with 18 points. For the 1-4 Heavy Bombers, Joshua Guiab topped the scoring column with 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists. For the 2-4 Red Lions, Bryan Sajonia fronted the effort with 21 points and eight rebounds.
The Scores:
First Game:
Mapua 92 – Dalisay 18, Cuenco 17, Bonifacio 16, Escamis 12, Soriano 8, Agustin 8, Hernandez 6, Igliane 4, Rivera 3, Sabsalon 0
Arellano 76 – Bagay 18, Sunga 16, Abastillas 11, Talampas 10, Mallari 8, Anama 4, Villarente 2, Camay 2, Rosalin 2, Dela Cruz 2, Valencia 1, Oftana 0, Domingo 0, Lustina 0
Quarterscores: 18-23, 39-45, 66-59, 92-76
Second Game:
San Sebastian 91 – RA Gabat 23, Shanoda 14, Are 12, Desoyo 12, Calahat 10, Una 7, Felebrico 6, Escobido 3, Velasco 2, RL Gabat 2, Pascual 0, Suico 0
JRU 83 – Guiab 17, Sy 11, Ramos 11, Medina 10, Pabico 9, Argente 7, Dela Rosa 5, Barrera 4, De Leon 3, Arenal 2, Bongay 2, Sarmiento 2, Lu 0, Mosqueda 0, Raymundo 0
Quarterscores: 17-17, 47-39, 68-55, 91-83
Third Game:
UP 72 – Alarcon 16, Diouf 14, Abadiano 8, Cansino 7, Cagulangan 7, Belmonte 5, Pablo 5, Lopez 5, Torculas 3, Andrews 2, Felicilda 0, Torres 0, Gagate 0, Andres 0, Briones 0
NU 65 – Yu 16, Manansala 12, Diassana 7, Clemente 6, Palacielo 6, Enriquez 5, Malonzo 4, Jumamoy 4, Lim 3, Padrones 2, Baclaan 0, Perciano 0, Parks 0, Galinato 0
Quarterscores: 17-20, 38-38, 54-52, 72-65
Fourth Game:
Benilde 96 – Nayve 25, Oczon 24, Jarque 10, Sangco 9, Turco 6, Corteza 5, Marasigan 4, Flores 3, Cajucom 2, Mara 2, Sumabat 2, Arciaga 2, Dimayuga 2, Lepalam 0, Vanguardia 0
San Beda 87 – Sajonia 21, Cortez 17, Andrada 13, Puno 12, Visser 7, Royo 5, Tagle 4, Lina 4, Jalbuena 4, Alloso 0
Quarterscores: 20-20, 43-51, 70-74, 96-87
