Down 11 points early in the final frame, the Gilas Cadets were able to find the right mix just in time, holding off the University of the East Red Warriors, 63-61, Tuesday evening at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
With the win, the Cadets picked up their second win in seven games in Group A of the 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, presented by Chooks-to-Go. UE, on the other hand, dropped to 1-2.
“It’s just good that we won tonight’s game,” said a relieved Gilas head coach Jong Uichico. “Mahirap naman if we lost but dominated the entire game. Today, we were able to shoot the ball and we were able to defend.”
And it was because of the quintet of Juan Gomez de Liano, Ricci Rivero, Vince Tolentino, Abu Tratter, and Kai Sotto.
“The players were able to find out how to find a way,” Uichico shared.
Down 61-50 with 9:08 left, Gomez de Liano was able to find Arvin Tolentino underneath to break Gilas’ cold spell. After a timeout, the quintet stepped in with eight minutes left and never left the game.
That five did not allow UE to score the rest of the way, forcing the Red Warriors into numerous contented shots and turnovers.
“We weren’t able to score but our defense was able to lead to points,” added Uichico.
A split on the stripe by Sotto with 5:24 left knotted the game at 61-all. Four minutes later, Gomez de Liano was able to pick the pocket of Alvin Pasaol, which led to the go-ahead layup.
Sotto finished with five points, three rebounds, and two blocks in just 13 minutes of game time, while Gomez de Liano had five points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.
UE had a chance to win it with 7.7 seconds left, but Philip Manalang’s triple was short.
Tratter led Gilas with 13 points. Vince Tolentino chipped in eight points and seven rebounds, while Rivero had eight points, nine rebounds, three steals, two blocks and two assists.
Pasaol paced the Red Warriors with 22 points and seven rebounds but went just 7-of-28 from the field.
The Scores:
Gilas Cadets 63 – Tratter 13, Paras 11, Tolentino V. 8, Rivero 8, Tamayo 8, Gomez de Liano 5, Sotto 5, Alejandro 3, Tolentino A. 2, Gozum 0.
UE 61 – Pasaol 22, Starit 8, Manalang 7, Bartolome 6, Varilla 5, Gagate 4, Antiporda 3, Cullar 3, Conner 2, Acuno 1, Gallardo 0, Sobrevega 0, Lacap 0, Maloles 0, Beltran 0.
Quarterscores: 21-18, 34-40, 50-57, 63-61.
