University of the East stunned Mapua University, 74-65, to gain its second straight win in Group A of the 2022 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, Friday in San Juan City.
The Red Warriors rose to 2-3 after racking up their second straight win while dropping the Cardinals to their third straight loss.
“Sabi ko nga, a win is a win and gusto namin yung main purpose that’s why we join the tournament is to have my boys get some exposure and makuha nila yung timing nila inside the court,” said UE head coach Jack Santiago, a former Cardinal during his playing days.
The Red Warriors led as much as 48-33 points off a CJ Payawal triple entering the third period. The Cardinals then answered back with a 10-0 run led by Dan Parinas and John Cudiamat to cut the deficit to three, 58-53, but it was the nearest they could get.
Nikko Paranada, though, made sure the Cardinals wouldn’t be able to complete the reversal as he converted a basket to extend the Red Warriors’ lead to 72-62 with 2:09 left in the game.
“Well a win is a win okay, but you see the lineup of the other teams medyo siguro talagang may advantage sila for today’s game,” added Santiago.
Payawal led the Red Warriors with 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting while Abdul Sawat and Onzo Lorenzana added 12 points each with the former having eight rebounds, three steals, and two assists, while the latter getting three rebounds.
Harvey Pagsanjan chipped in eight points, five rebounds, and two assists, while Alan Beltran contributed 11 rebounds and two assists.
Cudiamat paced the Cardinals with 16 points and six rebounds, while Jasper Salenga and Parinas supplied 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Paolo Hernandez, Warren Bonifacio, and Clint Escamis did not play for the Cardinals.
UE will look to go three in a row against College of St. Benilde on August 7 at 11:00 AM while Mapua will look to stop its skid when it faces Adamson University earlier in the day at 9:00 AM
The Scores:
UE (75) – Payawal 16, Lorenzana 12, Sawat 12, Pagsanjan 8, N. Paranada 6, Remogat 6, Beltran 6, K. Paranada 4, Antiporda 3, Tulabut 2, Guevarra 0, Soranio 0, Abatayo 0, Maglupay 0.
MU (64) – Cudiamat 16, Salenga 13, Parinas 11, Mercado 7, Cuenco 5, Soriano 4, Igliane 4, Tailan 4, Evangelista 0.
Quarterscores: 23-19, 48-35, 58-55, 75-64.
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The entire 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup will stream LIVE on Smart Sports Facebook page
