Letran leaned on a second-half surge to end Benilde’s perfect run in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive, while also grabbing the top spot in the NCAA Group.
With Titing Manalili and Jimboy Estrada leading the charge, the Knights pulled away from the Blazers en route to a 68-58 victory on Saturday at the PlayTime Cares Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Manalili led all scorers with 18 points and added four rebounds, while Estrada tallied a double-double of 10 points and 10 boards.
Ex-Altas forward Jun Roque also chipped in 12 points and three rebounds as Letran tied Benilde with a 5-1 record in the tournament backed by major sponsors PlayTime Cares, Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Bostik El Heneral, Jiang Nan Hotpot, Lamtex Pipes, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas, with minor sponsors including Harbor Star, Wallem, Akari, BDO, Tela.com Athletics, Nature’s Spring, Reyes Barbecue, and Brothers Burger.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, we have to defend Saint Benilde, para ma-gauge na rin natin ngayon pa lang kung nasaan na tayo,” said head coach Allen Ricardo.
It was Letran’s defense that sparked their transition game, erasing a 37-42 deficit early in the third quarter and turning it into a 56-47 advantage entering the final frame.
The Blazers tried to claw back but could only come as close as five points down the stretch.
Reigning NCAA MVP Allen Liwag was held in check, finishing with just 11 points and nine rebounds.
(C) Mags Reyes
Right behind Letran and Benilde is Emilio Aguinaldo College, which improved to 4-1 after edging Jose Rizal University, 75-71.
Wilmar Oftana and Jearolan Omandac paced the Generals with 14 and 12 points, respectively, as they picked up their second straight win.
(C) Mags Reyes
Meanwhile, Arellano finally broke through with its first win of the tournament, fending off Perpetual Help, 68-66.
The Chiefs, now 1-2, were powered by T-Mc Ongotan, who erupted for 18 points along with six rebounds and four assists.
Patrick Sleat led the Altas (1-2) with 14 points, while Sanlea Peñaverde paced the similarly 1-2 Heavy Bombers with 17 points.
The Scores:
First Game
EAC 75— Oftana 14, Omandac 12, Quinal 8, Ochavo 8, Shanoda 6, Bagay 6, Angeles 5, Doria 5, Castillo 5, Dominguez 4, Jacob 2, Tolentino 0, Cosa 0, Yanes 0
JRU 71— Peñaverde 17, Argente 14, Pangilinan 11, Benitez 9, Sarmiento 6, Herrera 5, Garupil 4, Panapanaan 3, Lozano 2, Canoza 0
Quarterscores: 29-19, 48-33, 66-53, 75-71
Second Game
AU 68— Ongotan 18, Valencia 10, Cabotaje 9, Abiera 7, Geronimo 6, Vinoya 6, Libang 4, Hernal 2, Camay 2, Miller 2, Buenaventura 2, Espiritu 0, Borromeo 0, Perez 0, Langit 0
UPHSD 66— Sleat 14, Alcantara 12, Boral 11, Gojo Cruz 10, Casinillo 8, Maglupay 5, Abis 3, Tulabut 3, Nunez 0, Guibao 0, Orgo 0, Roluna 0, Pizzaro 0
Quarterscores: 19-14, 35-28, 47-54, 68-66
Third Game
CSJL 68— Manalili 18, Roque 12, Estrada 10, Rosilio 8, Cuajao 7, Tapenio 6, Omega 3, Yusi 2, Buensalida 2, Santos 0
CSB 58— Liwag 11, Umali 7, Ancheta 7, Gaspay 5, Celis 5, Cometa 4, Oli 4, Moore 3, Cajucom 2, Daja 2, Eusebio 2, Gonzaga 2, Galas 2, Torres 2, Victoria 0, Ynot 0
Quarterscores: 22-14, 37-33, 56-49, 68-58
