Seniors Sherwin Concepcion and Bryan Santos led the way as University of Santo Tomas growled to its debut win in the 15th FilOil EcoOil Preseason with an 86-78 win over Jose Rizal University in Group B action, Monday in San Juan City.
The two paced the Growling Tigers with 20 points each. Concepcion also ended with five rebounds and three assists, while Santos added four boards and one block.
Leading by just nine with 3:24 minutes left in the game, the UST blew the Heavy Bombers with baskets from Kean Baclaan, Concepcion, and Paul Manalang.
That trey from Manalang with 1:27 remaining put the game out of reach as the UST came out with the win with interim mentor Jinino Manansala at the helm for now, as incoming head coach Bal David is yet to handle the team.
“Ready naman ako lagi pag kailangan ako ng team. Pero actually kahapon lang kami nag-ensayo eh, ‘yung sistema ko bago ko lang nilagay. At least, ‘yung mahalaga dito ‘yung panalo. ‘Di namin tinitignan kung ilan or kung ano. Ang gusto namin talaga manalo palagi,” said head coach Jinino Mansala.
Manalang chipped in 10 points on 57.1-percent shooting, three rebounds, and three assists, while rookie Kean Baclaan added 12 markers, five boards, and nine dimes.
The Growling Tigers (1-0) will try to make it two-in-a-row against Lyceum of the Philippines on August 3 at 9 a.m.
Ryan Dela Rosa took the cudgels for JRU with 17 points and two rebounds, while Jason Celis added 13 markers, two boards, and seven assists.
The Heavy Bombers (0-1) will face the reigning NCAA champions, Colegio de San Juan de Letran on July 27 at 3 p.m.
The Scores:
UST 86 – Concepcion 20, Santos 20, Baclaan 12, Manalang 10, Cabanero 9, Manaytay 7, Mantua 3, Stevens 2, Wilson 2, Pangilinan 1, Lazarte 0.
JRU 78 – Dela Rosa 17, Celis 13, Amores 11, Miranda 10, Sy 7, Guiab 6, De Leon 6, Dionisio 4, Bongay 2, Arenal 2, Villarin 0, Tan 0, Medina 0.
Quarterscores: 10-12, 37-36, 59-59, 86-78.
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The entire 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup will stream LIVE on Smart Sports Facebook page
