De La Salle University romped past Ateneo de Manila University, securing a dominant 98-61 victory in the main game of the FilOil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup Sunday in San Juan.
Reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao powered the Green Archers with 31 points, seven boards, and four assists, moving them closer to clinching a spot in the quarterfinals.
“We keep on reminding these guys not to look at the score and just keep on perpetuating the game,” La Salle head coach Topex Robinson said.
“We know that if it’s Ateneo, it’s always gonna be a battle.”
The Green Archers flexed their high-octane offense from the onset, opening with a 10-0 run.
They then racked up a 20-point lead, 35-15, after the first quarter, behind the exploits of Quiambao, Jonnel Policarpio, and EJ Abadam.
It was a dominant performance from coach Robinson’s boys, as at one point, they led by as many as 48, 84-36, following an Andrei Dungo three-pointer with 3:32 left in the third.
Abadam added 12 points while Dungo chipped in 11 for the Green Archers, who earned their fourth straight win after a loss to open the preseason tournament, which is co-presented by Bostik El Heneral and ABC Tile Adhesive, and has Smart Sports, Strong Group Athletics, and Hanes as major sponsors.
Joshua Lazaro racked up a double-double of 15 points and 12 boards.
Meanwhile, Jared Bahay added 12 points and five boards for the Blue Eagles, who played their third straight game in three days.
On the other hand, University of the Philippines completed a sweep of the elimination round with a 68-46 wire-to-wire win over Adamson University, behind Sean Alter’s 12 points and Francis Lopez’s 11.
No player from the now 2-4 Falcons reached double digits, with Eli Ramos leading the way with seven points and seven boards.
Meanwhile, National University lived to fight another day following a 32-point drubbing of Far Eastern University, 91-59.
Jake Figueroa scored 11 points while Tebol Garcia and Kenshin Padrones chipped in 10 markers apiece, improving to 2-3, tied with idle University of Santo Tomas.
Mo Konateh delivered 16 for the Tamaraws, who slipped to 3-2.
On the other hand, Colegio de San Juan de Letran secured a quarterfinals seat after surviving a late rally from Mapua University, 96-92.
Nat Montecillo and Charles Dimaano led the Knights with 15 points apiece, while Rafael Go added 14 to push their squad to 6-2 in the showcase, also supported by Tela.com Athletics as official outfitter and Molten as official game ball, as well as minor sponsors Reyes Barbecue, KFC, Brothers Burger, Wallem Philippines Shipping, Harbor Star Shipping Services, Akari, Jiang Nan Hotpot, and KantiGo Sports.
Reigning NCAA MVP Clint Escamis paced the now 4-4 Cardinals with 31 points.
In the curtain-raiser, Reggz Gabat dropped 27 points to lead San Sebastian College-Recoletos to a 94-86 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College, keeping them in the hunt for a playoff berth.
Raymart Escobido also scored 20 points for the Golden Stags, who improved to 2-5, while King Gurtiza dropped 26 points in a losing effort for the Generals, who dropped to 4-3.
