By: Anton Guarina
De La Salle University is just one win away from an elims sweep, taking a 74- 62 win over Jose Rizal University in Group B of the 2022 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Thursday afternoon in San Juan City.
The Green Archers improve their standing to 6-0 staying in first place. On the other hand, the Heavy Bombers remain winless with 0-6.
With both teams tied at 35-all, at the half, La Salle turned to its defense. The advantage then grew to 13, 52-39, off a layup by Evan Nelle with just 3:10 left in the third quarter.
However, Jonathan Medina, Jason Celis, Agen Miranda, Ry Dela Rosa, and William Sy powered an 11-7 run, cutting the deficit to nine, 50-59, entering the final frame.
The closest JRU could get was seven, 58-65 off a three-point jump shot made by Dela Rosa with 4:51 left in the game.
Schonny Winston drove a lay-up to give La Salle its biggest lead 14, 72-58 with 1:28 left in the game. That then put JRU back to a double-digit deficit to snatch the victory.
“I wasn’t happy by the way we played. I was quite disappointed by the way we played. In the first half, the intensity was not there, the efforts was not there but the second half was different, that’s why we were able to control the ball game,” said Green Archers head coach Derrick Pumaren.
Schonny Winston had an incredible performance finishing with 27 points, five of which came from behind the arc, together with two steals and an assist at the end of the game.
Meanwhile, Karl Quiambao had an impressive double-double performance, producing 10 markers, 11 rebounds, and four assists.
Bright Nwonkwo had 11 points on an 80-percent shooting clip to go along with nine boards and two assists.
Agem Miranda and Ry Dela Rosa both paced Jose Rizal University with 14 points each respectively, with the former having four rebounds and five assists, and the latter with a steal and an assist.
La salle will play their final elimination game on Saturday against Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 5:00 P.M., at the FilOil Ecooil Centre in San Juan City.
JRU will look to face San Sebastian College – Recoletos earlier in the day at 3:00 P.M. still at the same venue.
The Scores:
La Salle 74 — Winston 27, Nwankwo 11, Quiambao 10, M. Phillips 7, Manuel 5, Austria 4, Nelle 4, Escandor 2, B. Phillips 2, Robinson 1, Cortez 1, Estacio 0, Buensalida 0, Montecillo 0, Galman 0.
JRU 62 — Dela Rosa 14, Miranda 14, Sy 9, De Jesus 6, Medina 6, Guiab 4, Amores 3, De Leon 2, Dionisio 2, Celis 2, Bongay 0, Gonzales 0, Villarin 0, Benitez 0.
Quarterscores: 19-20, 35-35, 59-50, 74-62.
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The entire 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup will stream LIVE on Smart Sports Facebook page
