De La Salle University completed a clean sweep of the elimination round, while defending UAAP champion University of the Philippines wrapped up with back-to-back wins to lead the advance into the crossover quarterfinals of the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive.
The Green Archers closed out their group stage campaign with a convincing 94-86 win over fellow UAAP squad University of Santo Tomas on Thursday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
Mason Amos led the charge with 18 points and five rebounds, while Kean Baclaan matched his scoring output and added seven assists and five boards.
Mike Phillips anchored the paint with a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Jacob Cortez nearly had a triple-double with 11 markers, eight assists, and eight rebounds.
“Actually, with us, anybody can get hot at any time. For me, I just keep working,” said Amos, as La Salle finished as the only unbeaten team at 6-0 in the UAAP group.
The Archers controlled the tempo throughout, pulling away for good with a 12-5 run capped by a two-handed flush from Phillips to establish a 90-78 lead with 4:31 remaining.
UST struggled to recover and missed four consecutive three-point attempts in the dying minutes.
“This is the first time we played them this preseason, and we can really see that UST is a different team. We were really excited to play them,” said head coach Topex Robinson.
As the top seed in the UAAP group, La Salle will now take on NCAA No. 4 seed Arellano in the crossover quarterfinals.
Despite the loss, the Growling Tigers still secured the second spot with a 4-2 record, thanks to a previous win over UP.
Ice Danting erupted for 19 points, built on six three-pointers, while Nic Cabanero provided steady support with 18 markers. UST will battle NCAA No. 3 Emilio Aguinaldo College in the next round.
UP, meanwhile, ended its elimination round campaign with a gritty 63-54 win over Adamson University, finishing with a 3-3 record and locking up the third seed.
Gani Stevens shouldered the offensive load with 14 points and eight rebounds as the lone Fighting Maroon in double digits.
Harold Alarcon and Jacob Bayla added eight points each, while Francis Nnoruka had seven markers and nine boards.
“He’s been doing good filling in yung mga nawala sa’min. Ang lagi lang naman naming sinasabi sa kanilang lahat, just keep working,” said head coach Goldwin Monteverde, referring to Stevens’ increased role following the departure of Quentin Millora-Brown, Aldous Torculas, and Francis Lopez.
The Maroons are now preparing for a showdown against NCAA No. 2 Benilde.
Rounding out the UAAP’s quarterfinal cast is National University, which claimed the fourth seed and now faces NCAA No. 1 Letran.
Over in the NCAA group, the Knights showed grit and composure in a rivalry win, outlasting San Beda, 75-68, to secure the top seed with an 8-1 record.
Jimboy Estrada was on fire with 25 points on a flawless 11-of-11 shooting from two-point range, while Titing Manalili contributed 15 points, seven assists, and two steals.
With San Beda closing in at 69-66 in the final two minutes, Peter Rosillo and Mark Omega delivered back-to-back baskets to reestablish a seven-point cushion. Estrada then sealed the win with clutch free throws.
“Ang mahalaga sa’min, get as much experience as we can, get as many wins as we can, para madala namin sa NCAA,” said Letran head coach Allen Ricardo.
Benilde matched Letran’s record at 8-1 after fending off a resilient Lyceum side, 100-93, but settled for the second seed due to their earlier loss to the Knights.
Matthew Oli sparked a key 15-4 run in the third quarter with eight of his 15 points, helping the Blazers break a 67-66 deficit and surge ahead for good.
Gab Cometa also tallied 15 points, while Raffy Celis impressed with 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists in place of the injured Justine Sanchez.
“Raffy does a lot of things for us and he’s making the most of his extended playing time with Justine out,” said Benilde head coach Charles Tiu.
Meanwhile, EAC secured the third seed in the NCAA group, while San Beda bowed out with a 4-5 slate despite Jomel Puno’s 17-point effort.
Lyceum closed its campaign at 1-7, led by Renz Villegas and JM Bravo with 17 and 15 points, respectively.
The Scores:
First Game
CSB 100 – Cometa 15, Oli 15, Celis 12, Ynot 10, Daja 10, Eusebio 10, Ancheta 9, Morales 7, Gaspay 4, Galas 4, Gonzaga 2, Jalalon 2, Victoria 0, Umali 0
LPU 93 – Villegas 17, Bravo 15, Moralejo 9, Fuentes 8, Aviles 7, Barba 6, Casino 6, Penafiel 6, Versoza 5, Daileg 5, Almario 4, Aurigue 3, Caduyac 2, Panelo 0, Montano 0
Quarterscores: 30-28, 53-54, 81-73, 100-93
Second Game
CSJL 75 – Estrada 24, Manalili 15, Roque 11, Cuajao 8, Tapenio 6, Rosillo 4, Gammad 3, Buensalida 2, Omega 2, Santos 0, Yusi 0
SBU 66 – Puno 17, Andrada 12, Gonzales 12, Lina 11, Vailoces 5, Etulle 4, Tolentino 3, Culdora 2, Jamora 2, Estacio 0, Jalbuena 0, Hawkins 0, Celzo 0
Quarterscores: 25-14, 40-40, 63-51, 75-68
Third Game
UP 63 – Stevens 14, Alarcon 8, Bayla 8, Nnoruka 7, Felicilda 5, Alter 5, Andres 4, Briones 3, Fortea 3, Torres 2, Yniguez 2, Gagate 2, Abadiano 0, Coronel 0
ADU 54 – Medina 15, Anabo 13, Montebon 9, Torres 9, Ronzone C 4, Gaye 2, Canete 2, Perez 0, Sajili 0, Ronzone A 0, Barcelona 0, Sicat 0, Jaymalin 0
Quarterscores: 19-12, 38-24, 50-36, 63-54
Fourth Game
DLSU 94 – Amos 18, Baclaan 18, Phillips 14, Cortez J 11, Dungo 8, Macalalag 7, Marasigan 6, Cortez M 6, Pablo 4, Abadam 2, Nwankwo 0
UST 86 – Danting 19, Cabanero 18, Osang 8, Padrigao 7, Danting 7, Paranada 6, Bucsit 6, Buenaflor 5, Laure 4, Estacio 3, Alao 3, Acido 0, Calum 0
Quarterscores: 26-23, 52-49, 75-71, 94-86
