Far Eastern University needed every bit of Mo Konateh’s dominance to hold off Adamson University, eking out a gritty 68-66 overtime win in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive, Friday at the PlayTime Filoil Centre in San Juan.
Konateh delivered a monster double-double of 23 points and 20 rebounds to help the Tamaraws improve to 3-1 in the UAAP bracket, while Jorick Bautista added 21 points. Janrey Pasaol also produced 13 points, six assists, and five rebounds.
Matty Erolon paced the still-winless Soaring Falcons (0-3) with 17 points, including three triples, while rookies Earl Medina and Allen Perez produced 13 points, 10 points, and seven rebounds, respectively.
Meanwhile, over in the NCAA bracket, Letran continued to assert its dominance, extending its league-best streak to six games following a 75-68 victory over San Sebastian.
Deo Cuajao led the Knights with 11 points and three assists, while Titing Manalili and Jimboy Estrada contributed 10 markers apiece. Letran now holds a 7-1 record — not only securing solo leadership in the group but also becoming the first team to clinch a quarterfinals berth.
San Sebastian threatened late, unleashing a 9-0 run led by rookie Ian Cuajao to tie the game at 63-all with under six minutes left. But Manalili responded with a personal 8-0 barrage that halted the Golden Stags’ momentum. A Syrex Silorio basket then re-established a 10-point cushion, 73-63, that all but sealed the win.
“Although we won the game, it was shaky on both ends — offense and defense. Hindi ko nakita yung tamang attitude at body language,” said head coach Allen Ricardo, who continues to hold his Knights to a high standard as they brace for a rivalry clash with San Beda to close out the eliminations.
Ian Cuajao finished with 15 points for the Golden Stags, while fellow rookie Andre Lumanag impressed with 19 points and three rebounds.
Also earning wins in the NCAA group were Arellano and Perpetual.
The Chiefs pulled off a shocker against reigning NCAA champion Mapua, 76-73, behind T-Mc Ongotan’s all-around effort of 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists to improve to 2-3.
Later in the day, John Abis scored 13 points to lift the Altas to a nail-biting 65-64 win over Jose Rizal University — their second consecutive victory and third in seven games.
For the 1-5 Heavy Bombers, Jay Garupil tallied 13 points, while Cyrus Nitura put up 15 markers, seven rebounds, and four assists. On the Mapua side, Nitura’s output helped the Cardinals slide to 4-3 in this tournament, which is supported by major sponsors PlayTime Cares, Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Bostik El Heneral, Jiang Nan Hotpot, Lamtex Pipes, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas, with minor sponsorship from Harbor Star, Wallem, Akari, BDO, Tela.com Athletics, Nature’s Spring, Reyes Barbecue, and Brothers Burger.
The Scores:
First Game
CSJL 75— Cuajao 11, Estrada 10, Manalili 10, Silorio 9, Roque 8, Tapenio 8, Yusi 6, Rosillo 5, Montecillo 3, Buensalida 3, Omega 2, Poli 0
SSCR 68— Lumanag 19, Cuajao 15, Pillado 9, Cabilla 9, Nepacena 7, Castor 4, Gabat 2, Ricio 2, Gomez de Liaño 1, Dimaunahan 0
Quarterscores: 20-15, 41-30, 59-51, 75-68
Second Game
FEU 68— Konateh 23, Bautista 21, Pasaol 13, Ona 4, Bagunu 4, Mongcopa 2, Daa 1, Montemayor 0, Felipe 0, Nakai 0, Salangsang 0
ADU 66— Erolon 17, Medina 13, Montebon 10, Perez 10, Tumaneng 4, Manzano 4, Ronzone 2, Ojarikre 2, Sajili 2, Competente 2, Anabo 0, Barcelona 0, Fransman 0
Quarterscores: 17-22, 36-26, 41-48, 60-60, 68-66
Third Game
UPHSD 65— Abis 13, Casinillo 11, Sleat 11, Pagulayan 9, Boral 7, Alcantara 4, Gojo Cruz 4, Nunez 2, Duremdes 2, Maglupay 2, Orgo 0, Tulabut 0, Gelsano 0, Borja 0
JRU 64— Garupil 13, Peñaverde 11, Argente 11, Panapanaan 8, Lozano 6, Benitez 4, Esguerra 4, Pangilinan 3, Herrera 2, Castillo 2
Quarterscores: 20-18, 30-30, 49-49, 65-64
Fourth Game
AU 76— Ongotan 16, Libang 12, Camay 10, Vinoya 7, Borromeo 6, Hernal 6, Cabotaje 4, Geronimo 4, Flores 3, Langit 3, Miller 3, Abiera 2, Espiritu 0, Buenaventura 0, Anama 0, Demetria 0
MU 73— Nitura 15, Cuenco 14, Recto 10, Delos Reyes 9, Concepcion 6, Abdulla 5, Igliane 5, Escamis 5, Gonzales 3, Gulapa 1, Lazarte 0, Callangan 0
Quarterscores: 21-16, 36-34, 58-55, 76-73
