University of Santo Tomas cruised to its second straight win in the 2026 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, handing winless Adamson University its third consecutive defeat with an 81-59 victory on Tuesday in San Juan.
The Growling Tigers have remained unbeaten in June, opening the month with a title run in the 2026 Asiabasket NSAC against the NU Bulldogs before pulling off an 83-75 win over the FEU Tamaraws three days ago.
Once again, UST’s newfound bench production stood out, outscoring Adamson 53-37. Koji Buenaflor led the way with 11 points and six rebounds, Carl Manding added 10 points on two triples, while Kristian Porter chipped in eight points and eight rebounds.
“Being in my second year, bumibigat na yung responsibility. Ang daming nawala, so next man up. So roster namin sa four spot, there’s only kuya Gelo (Crisostomo) and me so I have the mindset na pagtapos niya, yung intensity is ganun pa rin. Mas ni-ready ko na sarili ko na kailangan ako ng team,” said Buenaflor, a product of the Tiger Cubs program.
Crisostomo and Amiel Acido also scored 10 points each in the victory, as the Growling Tigers improved to 2-2 in the UAAP group.
“Actually, we are just continuing the plan of Coach Pido (Jarencio) in all the leagues, like NSAC and Filoil, to do whatever he wants us to do. Dalawa lang naman hinihingi namin sa bench, which is to play hard and share the ball. We saw that tonight,” said UST assistant coach Peter Martin.
For Adamson, only Jonah Precious reached double figures with 10 points and five rebounds. Earl Medina added nine points, while Ray Allen Torres and Ray Edding chipped in eight points each.
There were also three NCAA Group games on Tuesday’s slate in the tournament 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.
Letran found its rhythm at the right time to survive Emilio Aguinaldo College, 71-65, and stretch its winning streak to four games.
George Diamante came up big in the clutch, finding Syrex Silorio for a key triple before finishing a 10-2 run with a steal and layup that gave the Knights a 66-63 lead with 1:49 remaining.
Diamante finished with four points, eight rebounds, and two steals, providing crucial support to lead guards Jimboy Estrada (14 points, five rebounds, four assists) and Titing Manalili (11 points, six rebounds, six assists).
“The players are showing that resolve na kahit may pagbitaw ng konti, natatauhan just in the nick of time to get the victory. That’s one of the game plan na to give opportunity pa rin sa mga bago ko, especially yan,” said coach Allen Ricardo, as Letran improved to 4-1 in the tournament.
Aaron Buensalida also delivered for Letran, maximizing extended minutes in the absence of resting Kevin Santos with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.
MJ Raymundo led the Generals (1-1) with 12 points and four rebounds.
Mark Gojo Cruz saved the day for Perpetual after hitting a buzzer-beating jumper to escape Arellano in overtime, 78-76.
The third-year guard redeemed himself after a missed potential game-winner in regulation, finishing the job in overtime off an LA Casinillo assist as the Altas finally broke through after dropping their first two games.
“Para sa kanya talaga yung play, pero binasa niya eh. Iba yung dinrawing ko, pero binasa ni Mark yung [defense]. And it turned out that he was open,” said coach Olsen Racela of Gojo Cruz, who finished with 15 points, three assists, and two rebounds.
Casinillo added 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists, while Shawn Orgo contributed 10 points.
Despite suffering their third overtime loss in as many games this preseason, Arellano put up a strong fight, forcing 25 turnovers and drawing 44 free throws, though they converted only 24.
Renzo Abiera had 19 points and four rebounds for the still-winless Chiefs (0-3).
Jose Rizal University also preserved its unbeaten record with an 83-75 win over Lyceum of the Philippines University.
Rookie Jalen Garcia added 17 points and three assists, Chris Hubilla recorded a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Sean Salvador contributed 12 points built on four triples for the 3-0 Heavy Bombers.
Roger Ondoa shot a perfect 5-of-5 from the field for 16 points, but his effort wasn’t enough to stop the Pirates from sliding to their third straight loss at 1-4.
The Scores:
First Game:
Jose Rizal 83 – Hubilla 17, Garcia 17, Salvador 12, Duque 10, Garupil 9, Panapanaan 7, Laurenaria 6, Masiglat 3, Mangubat 2, Herrera 0, Castillo 0, Peñaverde 0, Agemenyi 0.
Lyceum 75 – Ondoa 16, Rubico 12, Aviles 12, Almario 8, Daileg 7, Aurigue 6, Villegas 5, Matienzo 3, Cardinas 2, Manuel 2, Pallingayan 2, Fuentes 0, Panelo 0, Gordon 0, Caduyac 0.
Quarterscores: 21-16, 45-40, 67-59, 83-75.
Second Game:
Letran 71 – Buensalida 15, Estrada 14, Manalili 11, Gammad 8, Cargo 5, Sison-Walker 5, Silorio 5, Diamante 4, Montecillo 2, Hugo 2, Santos 0, Siena 0, Valdeavilla 0.
Emilio Aguinaldo 65 – M. Raymundo 12, Castillo 11, Shanoda 10, Nunag 10, Oftana 8, H. Raymundo 7, Ochavo 6, Postanes 1, Bagay 0, Sealey 0, Baniqued 0, Campana 0, Mundas 0.
Quarterscores: 11-24, 39-33, 55-48, 71-65.
Third Game:
Perpetual Help 78 – Gojo Cruz 15, Casinillo 12, Orgo 10, Tulabut 8, Gelsano 7, Pagulayan 7, Caugiran 6, Cristino 5, Roluna 4, Maglupay 3, Duremdes 1, Montemayor 0, Magdangal 0, De Guzman 0, Baldoria 0.
Arellano 76 – Abiera 19, Valencia 13, Vinoya 8, Camay 7, Manansala 7, Ladica 6, Hernal 6, Libang 5, Geronimo 2, Langit 2, Borromeo 1, Buenaventura 0, Demetria 0, De Leon 0, Barraca 0, Flores 0.
Quarterscores: 12-18, 37-33, 55-52, 70-70, 78-76.
Fourth Game:
UST 81 – Buenaflor 11, Manding 10, Acido 10, Crisostomo 10, Alao 8, Porter 8, Mara 6, Cañete 5, Esteban 4, Osang 4, Bucsit 3, Danting 2, J. Sevilla 0, Calum 0,
ADU 59 – Precious 10, Medina 9, Edding 8, Torres 8, Anabo 6, Sajili 5, Cruz-Dumont 4, Pacquiao 3, Montebon 2, Perez 2, Fransman 2, Obusan 0, Mangaron 0, Demisana 0.
Quarterscores: 22-15, 44-29, 67-38, 81-59.
