De La Salle University erupted for a scorching third quarter to keep its unbeaten streak alive, while National University locked in the final UAAP Group slot in the quarterfinals of the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive, Sunday at the Filoil Centre.
The Green Archers turned a four-point halftime deficit into a rout, dropping 43 points in the third frame alone to dismantle University of the East, 100-91, and improve to 5-0 — one win away from sweeping their group and clinching the top seed.
Down 39-43 at the break, La Salle came alive from deep, burying 11 of its 18 total three-pointers in that third-quarter explosion.
Mason Amos drilled two triples during their massive 35-7 surge, helping them storm ahead, 74-50, and never look back.
“We just went back to how we play. The team that I saw in the first half, that wasn’t us,” said head coach Topex Robinson. “So we just went back to us.”
Amos finished with 13 points, five assists, and three rebounds, while Luis Pablo led the way with 14 points. Jacob Cortez and Mikey Cortez chipped in 11 each, and Andrei Dungo added 10.
Impressively, 11 different Archers made at least one triple, showcasing their depth and unselfishness.
UE, on the other hand, closed its campaign winless under new head coach Chris Gavina.
Precious Momowei tallied a 23-point, 13-rebound double-double, while Wello Lingolingo added 19 points on two threes with six rebounds and four steals in the losing effort.
La Salle’s final elimination round assignment is a high-stakes clash against 4-1 University of Santo Tomas, with the victor claiming the No. 1 seed in the UAAP bracket.
Meanwhile, National University made sure to book its spot in the next round, dominating Far Eastern University, 91-77, to secure the fourth and final playoff berth out of the UAAP group.
With their backs against the wall, the Bulldogs unleashed their best offensive performance yet, shooting 52-percent from the field.
Jolo Manansala led the charge with 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting, alongside eight assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
“Yung mga distractions nung sa simula, na-overcome na namin ngayon,” said head coach Jeff Napa, alluding to early player losses. “Ang mahalaga sa’min ngayon, kung sino yung mga nandito.”
Gelo Santiago and PJ Palacielo added 13 and 10 points, respectively, for NU, which won three of its last four games to close the eliminations strong.
FEU, conversely, faded in crunch time, losing three of its final four games and bowing out with a 3-3 slate.
Jorick Bautista fired 23 points while Mo Konateh posted a 19-point, 16-rebound double-double in a losing cause.
With NU securing the fourth seed, the playoff picture for the UAAP group is now complete, headlined by undefeated La Salle, red-hot UST, also-ran UE, and the resurgent Bulldogs.
Elsewhere in the tournament, College of Saint Benilde survived a late collapse to edge Emilio Aguinaldo College, 86-85, and guarantee itself a top-two finish in the NCAA group.
Tony Ynot scored 17 points to pace the Blazers, who nearly squandered a 12-point fourth-quarter lead but clamped down defensively in the final minute.
“Medyo nag-relax nung fourth quarter. But when it mattered most, at least we got defensive stops,” said CSB head coach Charles Tiu, whose squad remains neck-and-neck with idle Letran at 7-1 for the top seed.
Meanwhile, San Beda outlasted Lyceum, 76-70, behind Yukien Andrada’s 21-point, nine-rebound outing.
Though already eliminated, the Red Lions closed their campaign on a strong note and now shift focus to a rivalry clash with Letran on Wednesday in this tournament backed by Playtime Cares, ABC Tile Adhesive, Hanes, Bostik El Heneral, Jiang Nan Hotpot, Lamtex Pipes, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas as major sponsors, along with Harbor Star, Wallem, Akari, BDO, Tela.com Athletics, Nature’s Spring, Reyes Barbecue, and Brothers Burger as minor sponsors.
The Scores:
First Game
CSB 86 – Ynot 17, Gonzaga 12, Torres 10, Cajucom 10, Daja 9, Celis 6, Umali 5, Ancheta 5, Gaspay 3, Cometa 3, Galas 3, Moore 3, Oli 0, Victoria 0, Jalalon 0
EAC 85 – Cosa 16, Castillo 12, Tolentino 10, Bagay 10, Angeles 8, Omandac 7, Jacob 7, Quinal 6, Loristo 4, Shanoda 2, Villarente 2, Doria 1, Oftana 0, Ochavo 0
Quarterscores: 23-15, 47-40, 74-62, 86-85
Second Game
NU 91 – Manansala 22, Santiago 13, Palacielo 10, Dela Cruz 8, Solomon 8, Francisco 6, Jumamoy 6, Tulabut 4, Reyes 4, Enriquez 3, Alfanta 3, Padrones 2, Parks 2, Locsin 0
FEU 77 – Bautista 23, Konateh 19, Pasaol 13, Felipe 8, Salangsang 6, Montemayor 3, Ona 3, Bagunu 2, Jones 0, Macapagal 0, Nakai 0, Daa 0
Quarterscores: 21-23, 48-34, 71-57, 91-77
Third Game
SBU 76 – Andrada 21, Miller 14, Gonzales 13, Lina 7, Culdora 7, Calimag Ri 5, Calimag RC 3, Vailoces 3, Hawkins 2, Celzo 1, Estacio 0, Songcuya 0, Bonzalida 0, Jamora 0
LPU 70 – Villegas 10, Barba 10, Bravo 10, Montano 9, Daileg 7, Panelo 6, Penafiel 5, Versoza 5, Aviles 2, Casino 2, Moralejo 2, Almario 2, Paulo 0, Aurigue 0
Quarterscores: 21-17, 41-35, 59-56, 76-70
Fourth Game
DLSU 100 – Pablo 14, Amos M 13, Cortez J 11, Cortez M 11, Dungo 10, Abadam 9, Baclaan 8, Macalalag 8, Phillips 3, Melencio 3, Dagdag 3, Amos C 3, Sarmiento 2, Alian 2, Nwankwo 0, Zamora 0
UE 91 – Momowei 23, Lingolingo 19, Datumalim 12, Cruz-Dumont 10, Abate 8, Mulingtapang 8, Lagat 5, Distrito 3, Go 3, Despi 0, Cabero 0, Fong 0
Quarterscores: 18-23, 39-43, 82-64, 100-91
