The University Athletic Association of the Philippines flexed its might in the quarterfinals of the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive, sweeping all four matchups against National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines opposition to set up an all-UAAP semifinal showdown, Friday.
De La Salle University flexed its depth and firepower, using a massive second-half run to break away from Arellano University, 95-77, and punch its ticket to the semifinals.
Trailing 59-60 early in the third quarter, the Green Archers responded with a searing 20-2 blast that bridged the third and fourth frames, seizing a commanding 79-62 lead and never looking back.
JC Macalalag ignited the breakaway with a personal scoring surge, draining an and-one play followed by a dagger three that restored La Salle’s double-digit cushion.
Macalalag finished with 12 points, while Mason Amos chipped in 15 markers. Kean Baclaan also posted an all-around performance with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists.
The Green Archers’ win sets up a highly-anticipated rematch against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons — the same squad that denied them the Filoil championship and the UAAP Season 87 title.
“We’re excited for another shot at UP. Every time we face them, it brings out the best in us,” said head coach Topex Robinson.
The defending champions from Diliman needed all the poise and composure they could muster to hold off a relentless College of St. Benilde side, 82-80.
Tied at 73-all with under five minutes remaining, UP turned to veteran guard Gerry Abadiano. He drilled a triple and a midrange jumper to spearhead a 9-0 spurt that pushed the Maroons ahead, 82-73.
The Blazers, however, weren’t done just yet. Allen Liwag sparked a 7-0 response to bring Benilde within two, 80-82, with 36.1 seconds left.
The Blazers had a golden opportunity to pull off the upset, but Raffy Celis missed a potential go-ahead layup and a three-point attempt in the dying seconds.
Abadiano led UP with 24 points and five rebounds, while Gani Stevens tallied a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double to keep UP’s title defense alive.
“Lucky kami na nananalo kami, na may learnings kami na nakukuha, pero marami pa kaming room for improvement,” Abadiano shared post-game.
On the other side of the bracket, University of Santo Tomas booked its first semifinal berth in the preseason tilt since 2013 after outlasting Emilio Aguinaldo College, 82-73.
Big man Gelo Crisostomo dominated the paint with a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double to lead a balanced attack from UST, which had five players scoring in double digits. Koji Buenaflor and Kyle Paranada contributed 12 apiece, while Nic Cabanero and Peter Osang added 11 and 10, respectively.
The win marked a milestone for the rebuilding Tigers under head coach Pido Jarencio, who is in his second stint with the team. Despite lead guard Forthsky Padrigao’s off-night (3 points on 1-of-11 shooting), UST had enough weapons to repel EAC’s repeated comeback attempts.
The Growling Tigers now face National University in the semifinals after the Bulldogs escaped a late-game collapse to thwart Letran, 79-77, in a gripping contest.
NU looked in full control with a 75-61 lead midway through the fourth quarter until the Knights unleashed a 16-3 run to get within one, 77-78, with eight seconds remaining. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, returning forward Jake Figueroa stepped up with clutch plays on both ends — splitting his free throws before stealing the ball from Titing Manalili to preserve the victory.
“Ang magandang nangyari ngayon, si Jake, coming off injury, nakabalik nang maganda. Ang kelangan lang namin pa, yung support sa kanya,” said head coach Jeff Napa of Figueroa, who finished with 21 points, six rebounds, and four steals.
Jolo Manansala added 16 points, six boards, and three assists for NU, which is steadily rounding into form as the tournament enters its final phase.
Manalili topped the scoring column for Letran with 18 points on top of eight assists, seven rebounds, and two steals, while Deo Cuajao and Kevin Santos chipped in 14 markers apiece.
Benilde’s Liwag dropped 22 points and 12 rebounds in the loss, as the Blazers once again fell short of making the Final Four for the third straight year. EJ Castillo paced EAC with 14 points, as Jude Bagay and Jae Omandac each chipped in 13 markers.
Despite a valiant effort, Arellano could not sustain its first-half momentum. T-Mc Ongotan led the Chiefs with 17 points and five boards, while Maverick Vinoya added 11 points and seven rebounds.
The loss marks the end of a solid campaign for Arellano, who reached the quarters under third-year mentor Chico Manabat.
The all-UAAP semifinals are now set: defending champion UP will battle long-time rival La Salle, while UST collides with NU in a showdown of squads riding high.
The Scores:
First Game
UP 82 – Abadiano 24, Stevens 12, Alarcon 11, Nnoruka 11, Belmonte 9, Fortea 5, Bayla 4, Gagate 4, Briones 2, Torres 0, Felicilda 0, Andres 0
CSB 80 – Liwag 22, Moore 16, Torres 12, Ynot 10, Oli 7, Celis 5, Gaspay 2, Cometa 2, Eusebio 2, Ancheta 2, Umali 0, Morales 0, Gonzaga 0
Quarterscores: 21-19, 50-41, 65-61, 82-80
Second Game
NU 79 – Figueroa 21, Manansala 16, John 9, Dela Cruz 8, Francisco 7, Enriquez 6, Palacielo 5, Santiago 3, Padrones 2, Solomon 2, Jumamoy 0, Parks 0
CSJL 77 – Manalili 18, Cuajao 14, Santos 14, Tapenio 11, Estrada 8, Rosillo 5, Buensalida 4, Omega 3, Roque 0, Gammad 0, Silorio 0, Yusi 0, Alejandro 0
Quarterscores: 28-20, 49-39, 64-60, 79-77
Third Game
UST 82 – Crisostomo 17, Buenaflor 12, Paranada 12, Cabanero 11, Osang 10, Acido 6, Danting 5, Padrigao 3, Estacio 3, Bucsit 3, Laure 0, Alao 0
EAC 73 – Castillo 14, Bagay 13, Omandac 13, Ochavo 6, Tolentino 5, Oftana 5, Angeles 4, Villarente 4, Quinal 3, Loristo 3, Shanoda 3, Bacud 0, Dominguez 0, Cosa 0
Quarterscores: 25-14, 46-40, 62-50, 82-73
Fourth Game
DLSU 95 – Amos 15, Baclaan 12, Macalalag 12, Cortez J 9, Phillips 9, Marasigan 9, Abadam 8, Dungo 8, Pablo 7, Nwankwo 4, Dagdag 2, Cortez M 0, Quines 0, Melencio 0
AU 77 – Ongotan 17, Vinoya 11, Borromeo 10, Valencia 10, Camay 8, Libang 4, Hernal 4, Buenaventura 3, Cabotaje 3, Abiera 3,
Quarterscores: 24-25, 53-48, 72-62, 95-77
