La Salle kept its immaculate record intact in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive, steamrolling Far Eastern University, 90–66, on Friday at the PlayTime Cares Filoil Centre in San Juan.
With the dominant win, the Green Archers improved to a spotless 4-0 slate and punched their ticket to the quarterfinals, joining fellow UAAP contender University of Santo Tomas.
Kean Baclaan and Mike Phillips joined forces in a blistering 22-8 run that turned a slim two-point lead early in the second quarter into a commanding 41-25 advantage by halftime. La Salle never took its foot off the gas, eventually ballooning the lead to as many as 33 points, 83-50, in the final period.
Baclaan led the charge with 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Phillips tallied 10 points, nine boards, and three dimes. First-year Fil-Am big man Dom Sarmiento also made his presence felt, knocking down three triples for nine points.
“It’s all part of what we’re trying to build in our team—just knowing your roles, being ready for the opportunity being given to you, and playing for each other,” said head coach Topex Robinson.
La Salle’s victory also benefited its UAAP rival, University of the Philippines, which secured a spot in the next round with its 3-2 record. Despite sharing the same record, UP owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over FEU.
Mo Konateh powered FEU with a massive double-double of 15 points and 17 rebounds, but the Tamaraws now face a must-win situation for the final playoff slot in the UAAP group.
They will go head-to-head with National University, which stayed alive after a gritty 61-46 win over Adamson.
No Bulldog reached double figures, but Jolo Manansala came close with nine points and nine rebounds. Reinhard Jumamoy also contributed nine markers and four assists.
“Lagi lang naman naming china-challenge etong mga players na dapat mabawi namin kung anuman yung nawala sa’min last (UAAP) season,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa, as his team improved to 2-3.
The Bulldogs roared to an 8-0 start and never looked back, building a 32-13 cushion at the half. Defense spelled the difference, as NU converted 15 Adamson turnovers into 16 points while holding the Falcons to a frigid 28.1% shooting from the field.
Matty Erolon led Adamson with 12 points in a losing effort, as the Falcons absorbed their fourth loss in five outings.
Over in the NCAA bracket, San Beda dealt a blow to Emilio Aguinaldo College’s hopes for the No. 1 seed with a 70-66 come-from-behind win.
After trailing 10-23 in the first quarter, the Red Lions regrouped behind Jomel Puno, Janti Miller, and Zed Etulle, who each finished with 14 points to push San Beda to a 3-4 standing. Though already out of the quarterfinals race, San Beda played spoiler to EAC’s pursuit of the top seed in the NCAA Group.
Jude Bagay led the Generals, who dropped to 6-2 in this tournament backed by major sponsors PlayTime Cares, Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Bostik El Heneral, Jiang Nan Hotpot, Lamtex Pipes, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas, with support from minor sponsors Harbor Star, Wallem, Akari, BDO, Tela.com Athletics, Nature’s Spring, Reyes Barbecue, and Brothers Burger, with 12 points.
The Scores:
First Game
SBU 70 – Puno 14, Miller 14, Etulle 14, Andrada 10, Culdora 8, Calimag 6, Vailoces 2, Gonzales 2, Estacio 0, Jamora 0, Lina 0, Buenzalida 0, Jalbuena 0, Songcuya 0
EAC 66 – Bagay 12, Quinal 10, Castillo 9, Omandac 8, Angeles 7, Ochavo 7, Shanoda 6, Postanes 3, Oftana 2, Doria 2, Villarente 0, Loristo 0, De vera 0, Jacob 0, Bacud 0
Quarterscores: 10-23, 36-38, 60-54, 70-66
Second Game
NU 61 – Jumamoy 9, Manansala 9, Parks 8, Palacielo 7, Enriquez 5, Francisco 5, Dela Cruz 4, Navarro 4, Padrones 4, Alfanta 2, Tulabut 2, Reyes 2, Solomon 0, Locsin 0
ADU 46 – Erolon 12, Anabo 8, Torres 5, Sajili 4, Montebon 3, Perez 3, Sicat 3, Gaye 2, A Ronzone 2, C Ronzone 2, Ojarikre 2, Barcelona 0, Competente 0, Canete 0, Tumaneng 0
Quarterscores: 12-5, 32-13, 43-25, 61-46
Third Game
DLSU 90 – Baclaan 14, Philips 10, Pablo 9, Sarmiento 9, Alian 8, Melencio 8, Cortez J 7, Amos CJ 7, Nwanko 5, Amos M 4, Dagdag 3, Macalalag 2, Abadam 2, Dungo 2, Cortez M 0, Zamora 0
FEU 66 – Konateh 15, Pasaol 9, Ona 7, Bagunu 6, Salansang 6, Mongcopa 5, Jones 5, Bautista 4, Felipe 4, Montemayor 3, Galvez 2, Macapagal 0, Beato 0
Quarterscores: 17-15, 45-29, 66-46, 90-66
