Learning continued for Gilas Pilipinas Boys as they faced a tough test against a sharp University of the Philippines side, falling 92-74 on Thursday in the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive in San Juan.
UP stayed unbeaten at 3-0 in the UAAP Group behind a balanced attack led by former national youth team member Jacob Bayla, who finished with 10 points and three rebounds as the Fighting Maroons seized early control of the bracket.
“For us, it’s about developing good habits. We still have a long way to go, and it’s a privilege for us to have a chance to help the national team prepare for the SEABA tournament,” said UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon.
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Veejay Pre led UP’s scoring effort with 11 points, while Gani Stevens added nine points and eight rebounds, and Elliot Dimaculangan also chipped in nine in their third win of the tournament, which is supported by Hanes, Buffalo’s Wings N Things, Wallem, BDO, Akari, Smart, Molten, Reyes Barbecue, Nature’s Spring, Tela.com Athletics, Brothers Burger, and Don Benito’s.
Gilas got solid production from Kyle Sardon, who finished with 20 points, Ethan Aguas with 12 points and four rebounds, and Bruce Tubongbanua with 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Meanwhile, National University pounced on an undermanned Adamson side, 74-66, to secure its second win in three outings.
Mo Diassana powered NU with 11 points and eight rebounds, while PJ Palacielo also controlled the paint with 11 points and six boards.
“Every game naman is a chance to learn and a chance to adapt. We just have to correct yung kaya namin para we can improve every game,” said coach Jeff Napa.
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The Bulldogs took command with a 22-point third quarter surge to build a 65-43 lead, which stretched to as much as 24, 67-43, early in the fourth.
Noah Pacquiao led Adamson with 19 points in the losing effort.
In the NCAA bracket, Letran and San Beda also notched their second wins after dominant performances.
The Knights overwhelmed San Sebastian, 96-85, behind Daniel Sison-Walker’s 26 points and four rebounds to move up to 2-1.
Chad Gammad added 16 points, including four triples, Syrex Silorio contributed 12 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Justine Hugo had 10 points and nine rebounds as Letran led by as many as 20, 88-68.
Ralph Gabat paced San Sebastian with 20 points, eight rebounds, and two assists as the Golden Stags absorbed a second straight loss.
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San Beda, meanwhile, remained unbeaten after a 102-77 rout of Lyceum of the Philippines.
Daniel Marcelo led the way with 17 points, four assists, and three rebounds, while Aldous Torculas added 15 points and five boards and Lawrence Hawkins chipped in 14 points and nine rebounds as the Red Lions cruised.
Renz Villegas topped the Pirates with 20 points, but Lyceum fell to 1-2 after another tough outing.
The Scores:
First Game:
Letran 96 – Walker 26, Gammad 16, Silorio 12, Hugo 10, Siena 5, Tapenio 5, Estrada 4, Montecillo 3, Muyuela 3, Diamante 3, Lim 2, Manalili 2, Santos 2, Buensalida 2, Valdeavilla 0.
San Sebastian 85 – Gabat 20, Ynot 18, Bacani 13, Barroha 11, Acosta 10, Cuya 6, Magcale 3, Segovia 2, Ricio 2, Alforque 0, Castor 0, Muktimar 0, Gomez de Liaño 0, Kitane 0, Suico 0.
Quarterscores: 26-17, 47-46, 73-61, 96-85.
Second Game:
San Beda 102 – Marcelo 17, Torculas 15, Hawkins 14, Lina 13, Etulle 10, RC. Calimag 9, Reyes 8, Dabao 6, Efron 5, Bonzalida 3, Medroso 2, San Juan 0.
Lyceum 77 – Villegas 20, Rubico 17, Daileg 8, Peñafiel 8, Guadaña 5, Pallingayan 5, Aurigue 5, Caduyac 3, Cardinas 2, Aviles 2, Ondoa 2, Matienzo 0, Abrantes 0, Almario 0, Villaver 0.
Quarterscores: 24-14, 54-37, 79-62, 102-77.
Third Game:
NU 74 – Palacielo 11, Diassana 11, Reyes 8, Alfanta 7, Jumamoy 6, Garcia 5, Laconsay 5, Miranda 5, Padrones 4, Francisco 2, Serrano 2, Perciano 2, Cartel 2, Locsin 2, Bouzina 2, Navarro 0.
ADU 65 – Pacquiao 19, Montebon 9, Cañete 8, Fransman 7, Mangaron 6, Obusan 6, Ojarikre 4, Bautista 3, Barcelona 2, Jenodia 2, Penafiel 0.
Quarterscores: 18-12, 39-30, 65-43, 74-66.
Fourth Game:
UP 92 – Pre 11, Bayla 10, Dimaculangan 9, Stevens 9, Palanca 8, Andres 7, Ogana 7, Franco 6, Miles 6, Coronel 5, Alter 4, Remogat 4, Briones 4, Poyos 2, Tan 0, Yniguez 0.
Gilas 74 – Sardon 20, Aguas 12, Tubongbanua 11, Amos 7, Moral 5, Cariño 5, Pasinos 4, Razon 3, Espinas 2, Basa 2, Chio 2, Cagurungan 1, Lacson 0.
Quarterscores: 21-14, 49-30, 75-49, 92-74.
