University of the Philippines exacted a measure of revenge against UAAP tormentor De La Salle University with a thrilling 89-77 decision to raise the curtains on the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup, Saturday in San Juan.
JD Cagulangan was brilliant throughout with 19 points, while Francis Lopez tallied 16 markers, four assists, three rebounds, and three steals.
New foreign student-athlete Dikachi Ududo also impressed with six points, 10 boards, and two blocks.
The Fighting Maroons had all the counters every time the Green Archers closed in.
It was also some sort of redemption after the latter edged them out in the three-game UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Finals last December.
“Very excited kami na La Salle agad makakatapat kasi para sa’kin, big game para sa’min ito. Buti naman, nag-respond naman nang maayos ang buong team,” said Cagulangan.
UP was leading for the majority of the match-up, but La Salle kept coming and was only down by four, 75-79, inside the last six minutes.
It was at that point, however, that Cagulangan and Lopez joined forces for all the points in their 10-2 finishing kick.
“Happy in a sense na, alam naman nating first game pa lang ito. Pero seeing the players respond, ok na ok sa’kin yun. Ang importante sa’kin is getting the exposure we need for all our players, especially against La Salle pa,” said head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao paced the Green Archers with 15 points and nine rebounds. He was backed up by Mike Phillips and Henry Agunnane, who had 13 markers apiece.
Earlier, San Beda University got the better of archrival Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 76-69, even without James Payosing and Yukien Andrada.
With the NCAA Season 99 Finals MVP and their team captain injured, the Red Lions got a big boost from Josh Tagala, who wound up with 20 points built on six triples, with 12 coming in the 19-5 third-quarter run that took back the lead and momentum for their side.
“Ako kasi, palagi lang akong ready. Ginagawa ko lang trabaho ko sa practice and ‘di ako magrereklamo sa playing time. Especially now na undermanned kami, kinailangan mag-step up,” he said.
It was also Tagala who scored the last five points to seal the deal in San Beda’s takedown of their new-look archrivals.
“It’s always nice winning against your rivals kasi it gives the community something to cheer for. Very happy for Josh Tagala’s game din today, but it wasn’t a surprise for me. He’s always the first one in the gym, practicing his shooting,” said head coach Yuri Escueta.
Jimboy Estrada topped the scoring column for the Knights with 16 points, while Kobe Monje also added 14 markers in new head coach Allen Ricardo’s debut in the tournament co-presented by Bostik El Heneral and ABC Tile Adhesive, and has Smart Sports, Strong Group Athletics, and Hanes as major sponsors.
Chris Hubilla then made quite the first impression for Mapua University, collecting 17 points and nine rebounds to carry the Cardinals to a 75-67 triumph over Lyceum of the Philippines University.
Hubilla, the former NCAA Juniors Mythical Team member who committed to UP and Letran before finally landing in Mapua’s nest, was backed up by MC Cuenco, who had 17 points, five assists, and three rebounds.
NCAA MVP Clint Escamis didn’t even have to do much with just eight markers to his name, as the Cardinals cruised to an opening win in the preseason showcase also supported by Tela.com Athletics as the official outfitter and Molten as the official game ball, as well as minor sponsors Reyes Barbecue, KFC, Brothers Burger, Wallem Philippines Shipping, Harbor Star Shipping Services, and Akari.
For the Pirates, JM Bravo fronted the effort with 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
In other results, University of Perpetual Help edged out Jose Rizal University, 91-89, in a double-overtime thriller behind Chris Pagaran’s 23 points, while University of the East topped Adamson University, 65-57, on the back of a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double from Precious Momowei.
MJ Raymundo (21 points) and Royce Mantua (10) showed the way for the Heavy Bombers and Soaring Falcons, respectively.
The Filoil Preseason will be broadcast live on the Filoil EcoOil Sports Facebook page and YouTube channels, as well as on Smart Sports, Puso Pilipinas, and Smart Livestream.
The Scores:
First Game:
Mapua 75 – Cuenco 17, Hubilla 17, Escamis 8, Jabonete 7, Mangubat 7, Fermin 5, Bancale 5, Abdulla 4, Concepcion 3, Agemenyi 2, Recto 0, Fornis 0
Lyceum 67 – Bravo 16, Guadana 12, Alattica 10, Barba 6, Penafiel 6, Aviles 6, Villegas 5, Versoza 4, Moralejo 2, Montano 0, Daileg 0, Caduyac 0, Palligayan 0, Fuentes 0
Quarterscores: 15-19, 34-41, 55-47, 75-67
Second Game
Perpetual 91 – Pagaran 23, Orgo 16, Boral 16, Pizarro 11, Nunez 7, Gojo Cruz 5, Abis 4, Manuel 4, Thompson 3, Sevilla 2, Gelsano 0, Movida 0, Montemayor 0
JRU 89 – Raymundo 21, Argente 16, Medina 15, Barrera 14, Lozano 8, Panapaanan 5, De Jesus 2, Ramos 2, Sarmiento 2, Guiab 2, Garcia 2, De Leon 0, Pabico 0, Benitez 0, Ferrer 0, Samontanes 0
Quarterscores: 20-22, 40-36, 68-55, 77-77, 85-85, 91-89.
Third Game:
UE 65 – Momowei 16, Maga 13, Spandonis 10, Galang 10, Lingolingo 5, Cruz-Dumont 4, Mulingtapang 4, Abate 3, Robles 0, Go 0, Mahilim 0
ADU 57 – Mantua 10, Manzano 9, Ramos 8, Ignacio 7, Anabo 7, Dignadice 5, Edding 3, Barcelona 3, Ronzone 2, Canete 2, Fransman 1, Torres 0, Barasi 0, Sicat 0
Quarterscores: 18-12, 31-31, 46-42, 65-57
Fourth Game:
San Beda 76 – Tagala 20, Puno 13, Calimag RC 8, Sajonia 6, Royo 5, Calimag Ri 5, Alloso 5, Celzo 4, Torres 4, Gonzales 3, Peregrina 2, Songcuya 1, Estacio 0
Letran 69 – Estrada 16, Monje 14, Manalili 8, Montecillo 8, Javillonar 7, Cuajao 5, Go 5, Galoy 2, Ariar 2, Baliling 2, Pradela 0
Quarterscores: 24-17, 41-39, 61-56, 76-69
Fifth Game:
UP 89 – Cagulangan 19, Lopez 16, Alarcon 9, Abadiano 8, Belmonte 8, Ududo 6, Alter 6, Torculas 5, Torres 4, Felicilda 4, Fortea 2, Briones 2, Stevens 0
DLSU 77 – Quiambao 15, Phillips 13, Agunanne 13, Policarpio 10, Austria 6, David 5, Macalalag 4, Marasigan 4, Abadam 2, Dungo 2, Ogana 2, Cortez 1, Gollena 0
Quarterscores: 31-22, 46-41, 69-66, 89-77
