De La Salle University issued a statement regarding their victory over University of the Philippines in the 2023 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
They won the game 90-83 in an exciting contest held at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan on Sunday.
Kevin Quiambao was the standout player for the Green Archers, scoring 21 points all from deep, along with seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
Mike Phillips also had an impressive performance with a double-double of 22 points and 14 rebounds in his first game back after winning the gold medal in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball with Gilas Pilipinas Men.
Head coach Topex Robinson expressed his satisfaction with the win, stating, “We know that UP is one of the barometers of the UAAP. We were just excited to test where we are. It’s nice to have Mike and Ben [Phillips] back in the lineup, especially for this game, but what really worked for us was that we didn’t give up.”
This marked their fourth consecutive victory in the tournament.
The Fighting Maroons initially took the lead with a score of 15-5, but La Salle regrouped and regained the lead, 53-52, early in the third quarter. The two UAAP rivals battled it out until the Green Archers went on a 9-0 run, extending their lead to 73-63 early in the final frame.
CJ Cansino’s three-pointer brought State U within three points at 80-83 in the last two minutes, but Quiambao responded with his own three-pointer to halt their momentum. Mark Nonoy’s fastbreak layup and free throws from Evan Nelle secured the win for La Salle, propelling them to first place in Group II.
“We know that UP isn’t complete, but for us, we’ll always run our own race. It doesn’t matter who we face. It’s all on us,” Robinson commented.
Despite Malick Diouf’s impressive performance of 23 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block, UP suffered their second consecutive defeat after starting the tournament with three wins.
In another game, St. Clare College of Caloocan claimed an upset victory over Far Eastern University, winning 55-54.
With their court general Jimboy Estrada fouling out with four minutes remaining, the Saints saw their four-point lead disappear and trailed by one, 53-54, with 34 seconds left.
However, they regained possession and found an open Drick Acosta for a crucial shot that made the difference.
Both teams had defensive stops in the remaining time, and FEU had a chance to score with 1.1 seconds left, but James Tempra’s long-distance shot missed slightly to the left, securing the Saints’ 3-1 record in Group II.
Head coach Jinino Manansala praised his team’s efforts, stating, “Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila, yung mga UAAP team, kailangan talagang paghirapan. Buti ngayon, meron at meron talagang lalabas sa mga bata ‘pag gagamitin ko. ‘Di lang si Jimboy.”
Acosta contributed seven points and five rebounds, while Ahron Estacio filled in for Estrada with 14 points and four assists.
Tempra led FEU with 11 points, but they fell to a 1-3 record in the tournament.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran continued its winning streak after overcoming a late surge from Arellano University, winning 83-77.
Kobe Monje contributed 23 points, eight rebounds, and two assists, while Nicko Fajardo added 28 points.
Their performances helped the Knights overcome the absence of floor leaders Kurt Reyson and Pao Javillonar, leading them to a 3-1 record in Group I of the premier preseason tournament supported by Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Akari, Reyes BBQ, BDO, Kalos Sportswear, and Molten.
“Unang-una, I give credit to my players. Grabe yung sakripisyo nila, especially this week. Kumbaga, death schedule namin ‘to e. Salamat at nalampasan namin this week,” said head coach Rensy Bajar, talking about how they endured a tough week that had the NCAA’s three-peat champions playing daily in the Filoil Preseason as well as the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup.
Tied with Letran in the top-third of the Group I standings is Mapua University, which dominated College of St. Benilde with a score of 95-78.
Five Cardinals scored in double-digits, with Warren Bonifacio and Clint Escamis contributing 20 and 18 points, respectively. The reliable veterans also combined for 18 rebounds, 11 assists, and six steals.
Currently, they are only looking up to the 4-1 University of Perpetual Help in the leaderboard.
“‘Sabi ko nga lagi sa kanila, bumalik nga si Clint sa’min, pero ‘di pwedeng ibigay lahat ng load kay Clint. Kailangan laging may tumutulong sa kanya at kay Boni,” said head coach Randy Alcantara.
Prince Carlos fronted the effort for the 3-2 Blazers with 17 points, while Jude Bagay steered the ship for the Chiefs with 16 points as they started the tourney with back-to-back losses.
The Scores:
First Game:
Mapua 95 – Bonifacio 20, Escamis 18, Agustin 15, Cuenco 11, Soriano 10, Rivera 8, Recto 6, Dalisay 5, Agemenyi 2, Garcia 0, Igliane 0, Ryan 0
Benilde 78 – Carlos 17, Nayve 14, Oczon 10, Sangco 10, Marsigan 5, Jarque 5, Mara 4, Arciaga 3, Sumabat 3, Dimaunahan 3, Dimayuga 2, Turco 1, Cajucom 1, Baliquig 0, Lepalam 0
Quarterscores: 24-23. 53-41, 74-62, 95-78
Second Game:
Letran 83 – Fajardo 28, Monje 23, Cuajao 7, Ariar 6, Guarino 6, Santos 5, Brillantes 3, Alarcon 2, Bojorcelo 2, Tolentino 1, Bautista 0, Miclat 0, Laquindanum 0
Arellano 77 – Bagay 16, Sunga 15, Valencia 9, Camay 8, Anama 8, Doromal 7, Oftana 6, Mallari 2, Villarente 2, Lustina 2, Flores 2, Antonio 0, Talampas 0, Dela Cruz 0, Domingo 0, Rosalin 0
Quarterscores: 23-15, 40-36, 67-55, 83-77
Third Game:
St. Clare 55 – Estacio 14, Galang 11, Acosta 7, Tapenio 7, Yanes 7, Estrada 6, Kane 2, Ndong 1, Decano 0, Sual 0, Victoriano 0
FEU 54 – Tempra 11, Sleat 10, Torres 9, Anonuevo 5, Songcuya 5, Faty 4, Taburnal 3 Felipe 3, Dalumpines 2, Ona 2, Montemayor 0
Quarterscores: 20-10, 37-24, 48-42, 55-54
Fourth Game:
DLSU 90 – M Phillips 22, Quiambao 21, Nelle 9, Nonoy 9, Policarpio 9, Abadam 8, Austria 6, David 4, Nwankwo 2, Escandor 0, Gollena 0, B Phillips 0, Cortez 0
UP 83 – Diouf 23, Gonzales 9, Cansino 8, Abadiano 7, Lopez 7, Torres 6, Felicilda 4, Briones 4, Torculas 4, Alarcon 3, Gagate 3, Belmonte 2, Fortea 2, Pablo 1,
Quarterscores: 19-25, 42-49, 71-63, 90-83
