De La Salle University extended its unbeaten run in the 2023 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, piling onto the misery of archrival Ateneo de Manila University with a 72-59 romp on Sunday in San Juan.
Evan Nelle took charge of the Green Archers’ eighth win in Group II, scoring 12 points, dishing out seven assists, and grabbing three rebounds. Joshua David also contributed 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists off the bench as they handed their fierce foes a 0-3 record.
“It really doesn’t make us the UAAP champions by going 8-0 and beating Ateneo. It doesn’t mean anything,” said head coach Topex Robinson after his first experience of the rivalry game. “But it’s always good to see our team execute what we prepared for on the court.”
With the score tied at 26-all late in the second quarter, Nelle fueled a 17-6 run. That propelled La Salle ahead, 43-32, at the 6:46 mark of the third period.
The Blue Eagles could only come as close as 13 points, 52-65, with five minutes remaining, only to see David score all but two points in a 7-0 counterattack. The run gave the Green Archers a 72-52 advantage.
“I always remind myself of how grateful I am to coach De La Salle. I see in our guards what really kept me playing and then coaching. It’s perseverance,” said Robinson.
Mark Nonoy contributed 11 points and six rebounds, while Kevin Quiambao added 11 points and six rebounds of his own.
La Salle secured the first quarterfinal slot in the premier preseason tournament supported by Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Akari, Reyes BBQ, BDO, Kalos Sportswear, and Molten.
They now set their sights on second-running St. Clare College of Caloocan (4-1) – the last team standing in their way of sweeping the group phase – on May 31.
On the other hand, Ateneo will make another attempt for that elusive breakthrough on June 2 against Far Eastern University.
Kai Ballungay led Ateneo in this game with 18 points and six rebounds.
Mapua University also claimed back-to-back wins with a 71-61 victory over San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
Kobe Dalisay stepped up with 17 points, including five three-pointers, while Warren Bonifacio added 12 points and five boards. Adrian Nocum contributed 10 points as the Cardinals improved to a 5-2 record in Group I.
“Lagi lang namin sinasabi sa kanila na it’s a test of character and mental toughness, at masaya kami na kahit paano nag-respond sila,” said assistant coach Nani Epondulan.
Alex Desoyo led the Golden Stags (2-5) with 15 points in the defeat.
In the first game, University of the East snapped a three-game losing streak with a 67-59 victory over Centro Escolar University.
Delvion Jackson produced a double-double of 16 points, 14 rebounds, six blocks, three assists, and three steals.
The Red Warriors moved up to a 3-4 record in Group II.
But the Red Warriors still had to fend off a challenge from the Scorpions as their 13-point lead dwindled to as low as four, 63-59, in the final minute. Then Noy Remogat, who went 10-of-11 from the line for 15 points, five assists, and four rebounds, secured the win from the free-throw line.
“A win is still a win,” sighed coach Jack Santiago. “Nasa period of adjustment pa rin yung mga bata kaya we’ll take wins like these.”
Franz Diaz led CEU (1-5) with 14 points and four boards in the loss.
The Scores:
First Game:
UE 67 – Jackson 16, Remogat 15, Maga 11, Lingo-Lingo 9, Rosete 7, Gilbuena 5, Maglupay 3, Robles 1, Cabero 0, Tomas 0, Maxie 0, Fong 0, Langit 0
CEU 59 – Diaz 14, Bernabe 12, Borromeo 8, Joson 6, Penano 5, Anagbogu 3, Darbin 3, Balogun 2, Cabotaje 2, Santos 2, Reyes 2, Tolentino 0, Malicana 0, Dela Cruz 0
Quarterscores: 14-21, 34-34, 48-46, 67-59
Second Game:
Mapua 71 – Dalisay 17, Bonifacio 12, Nocum 10, Igliane 8, Soriano 8, Escamis 7, Hernandez 3, Agustin 2, Rivera 2, Sabsalon 2, Agemenyi 0
San Sebastian 61 – Desoyo 15, Calahat 9, Re. Gabat 8, Are 8, Shanoda 7, Escobido 4, Paglinawan 4, Una 2, Felebrico 2, Pascual 2, Aguilar 0
Quarterscores: 17-17, 34-37, 56-49, 71-61
Third Game:
Lyceum 66 – Barba 16, Montano 13, Umali 11, Valdez 8, Aviles 5, Fuentes 5, Penafiel 3, Cunanan 2, Villegas 2, Alattica 1, Omandac 0
Letran 59 – Cuajao 25, Reyson 8, Santos 6, Guarino 5, Alarcon 4, Ariar 4, Monje 3, Go 2, Brillantes 2, Nunag 0, Fajardo 0, Tolentino 0, Laquindanum 0
Quarterscores: 18-19, 39-37, 57-45, 66-59.
Fourth Game:
La Salle 72 – Nelle 12, Quiambao 11, David 11, Nonoy 11, M Phillips 10, Policarpio 5, Gollena 4, Escandor 3, Abadam 2, Manuel 2, B Phillips 1, Nwankwo 0, Melencio 0, Cortez 0
Ateneo 59 – Ballungay 18, Espinosa 9, Credo 7, Obasa 5, Brown 5, Padrigao 4, Quitevis 3, Amos 3, Chiu 3, Nwabude 2, Lazaro 0, Bongo 0, Nieto 0, Garcia 0
Quarterscores: 14-15, 32-28, 55-41, 72-59
