Jacob Cortez delivered a masterclass on Saturday night, exploding for 31 points to power De La Salle University past University of the Philippines, 106-99, in a high-octane thriller in the 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive.
The former NCAA Finals MVP shot an ultra-efficient 12-of-16 from the field, adding five assists and four rebounds as he danced through every defensive look the Fighting Maroons threw at him.
His biggest moments came down the stretch, assisting on a Mike Phillips floater before drilling a cold-blooded stepback triple that stretched La Salle’s slim four-point cushion to a commanding 105-96 lead with just 41.8 seconds left.
“I was looking forward to facing UP. We all know how good they are, so we just went out there and gave our best,” said Cortez, whose poise and firepower proved decisive in a game filled with fireworks.
Backcourt partner Kean Baclaan backed him up with 20 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while rookie Luis Pablo made a statement against his former squad with 11 points and six boards.
“What was surprising was the halftime score; that could’ve been a full game already. That just shows how offensively, both teams are capable,” said La Salle head coach Topex Robinson, referring to the dizzying 62-60 halftime tally.
The matchup delivered on its marquee billing, featuring 14 deadlocks and 13 lead changes in front of a roaring San Juan crowd. UP stayed within striking distance until the final minutes, capped by a ferocious dunk from Nigerian big man Francis Nnoruka that cut the deficit to four with under three minutes left.
But when it mattered most, La Salle leaned on its defensive anchors. Phillips and Pablo locked in to deny UP’s repeated attempts to go back to Nnoruka, while Cortez took charge offensively to help the Green Archers climb to a 2-0 record.
(C) Mags Reyes
La Salle’s win comes after consecutive preseason finals losses to the Maroons in the past two years, adding an extra layer of satisfaction for the Taft-based squad in this tournament supported by major sponsors including PlayTime Cares, Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Bostik El Heneral, Jiang Nan Hotpot, Lamtex Pipes, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas, alongside minor backers such as Harbor Star, Wallem, Akari, BDO, Tela.com Athletics, Nature’s Spring, Reyes Barbecue, and Brothers Burger.
Despite the loss, Nnoruka continued to impress for UP with 21 points, seven rebounds, and three steals as the Maroons dropped to 2-1 in the preseason standings. Senior guard Terrence Fortea backed up him with 17 points.
Noy Remogat saw himself held to just 4 points thanks to DLSU’s defense.
(C) Mags Reyes
Over in the earlier game, National University finally broke through in the win column, outlasting the University of the East, 72-67.
With top scorer Jake Figueroa sitting out to focus on academics, PJ Palacielo stepped up in a big way, tallying 19 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Reinhard Jumamoy added 12 points, two boards, and two assists to fuel the Bulldogs’ first victory in three outings.
NU turned a six-point cushion midway through the third quarter into a 60-44 advantage entering the fourth, thanks to a dominant 46-15 edge in bench points.
“Ngayong wala si Jake, gusto naming makita sino mag-step up. Thankfully naman, nangyari yun,” said head coach Jeff Napa.
UE remained winless under new head coach Chris Gavina, falling to 0-3. Wello Lingolingo led the Red Warriors with 18 points, while Precious Momowei dropped a massive double-double of 17 points and 18 rebounds.
In the NCAA Group, Emilio Aguinaldo College kept its slate clean with a second straight win, outlasting Lyceum, 82-74, behind a third-quarter scoring blitz, while San Beda barged into the win column with a 67-54 triumph over San Sebastian.
Wilmar Oftana led the way with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while EJ Castillo and Gelo Loristo each added 13 markers in the Generals’ balanced effort.
The Calimag brothers led the way — RC dropping 20 points and Richi contributing 11 — as the Red Lions rebounded from their opening loss.
Andre Lumanag paced the Stags with 12 points, while Gyle Montano had a game-high 20 markers in Lyceum’s earlier loss. Both teams remain winless after three games.
The Scores:
First Game
SBU 67 – Calimag RC 20, Mina 14, Calimag Ri 11, Estacio 5, Bonzalida 5, Lina 4, Tolentino 4, Jalbuena 2, Hawkins 2, Jamora 0, Culdora 0, Celzo 0, Vailoces 0, Medroso 0
SSCR 54 – Lumanag 12, Felebrico 11, Gabat 6, Nepacena 4, Ricio 4, Gomez de Liano 3, Cabilla 3, Acosta 3, Castor 3, Are 3, Ilagan 2
Quarterscores: 14-8, 29-28, 55-42, 67-54
Second Game
EAC 82 – Oftana 16, Castillo 13, Loristo 13, Bagay 7, Tolentino 7, Quinal 6, Omandac 4, Dominguez 4, Shanoda 3, Villarente 3, Postanes 2, Doria 2, Yanes 2, Angeles 0, Cosa 0, Ochavo 0
LPU 74 – Montano 20, Barba 17, Moralejo 15, Villegas 7, Penafiel 4, Reyes 4, Versoza 3, Daileg 2, Panelo 1, Matienzo 1, Casino 0, Caduyac 0, Paulo 0, Fuentes 0, Aurigue 0
Quarterscores: 15-26, 35-39, 62-52, 82-74
Third Game
NU 72 – Palacielo 19, Jumamoy 12, Manansala 9, Garcia 7, Enriquez 6, John 5, Francisco 4, Navarro 3, Santiago 3, Padrones 2, Palanca 2, Solomon 0, Tulabut 0, Locsin 0, Dela Cruz 0
UE 67 – Lingolingo 18, Momowei 17, Abate 15, Obusan 6, Robles 6, Lagat 3, Malaga 2, Mulingtapang 0, Go 0, Despi 0, Cruz-Dumont 0
Quarterscores: 16-15, 31-29, 60-47, 72-67
Fourth Game
DLSU 106 – Cortez 31, Baclaan 20, Pablo 11, Amos 9, Phillips 8, Gollena 6, Nwankwo 6, Marasigan 6, Dungo 5, Macalalag 4, Melencio 0
UP 99 – Nnoruka 21, Fortea 17, Alarcon 15, Torres 9, Gagate 8, Abadiano 6, Belmonte 5, Stevens 4, Remogat 4, Briones 4, Felicilda 3, Yniguez 3, Alter 0, Coronel 0
Quarterscores: 30-24, 60-62, 89-83, 106-99
