In a testy, physical showdown between UAAP rivals, La Salle held off a furious late rally from National University to stay unbeaten in the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup, escaping with a 69-64 win on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Green Archers looked poised for a comfortable finish after building a 13-point lead, 57-44, with under nine minutes to play.
But NU clawed back, with Nat Tulabut, Reinhard Jumamoy, and Steve Nash Enriquez spearheading a 15-4 blitz that brought the Bulldogs within two, 61-59, at the 1:47 mark of the fourth.
Refusing to fold, Mikey Cortez — who stepped up for brother Jacob Cortez as he fouled out of the game — answered with a smooth Eurostep layup and a dagger triple that rebuilt La Salle’s cushion to five, 66-61.
Vhoris Marasigan and Kean Baclaan then put the finishing touches on the win, lifting the green-and-white to a 3-0 record in the tournament’s UAAP group.
Baclaan torched his former team with 18 points, three assists, and two rebounds.
Jacob Cortez and Mason Amos added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
(C) Mags Reyes
“From where he was and where he is now, he’s just reaping what he’s sowing. He’s bought in. He’s getting what he deserves,” said La Salle head coach Topex Robinson of Baclaan’s standout performance.
Tulabut and Jake Figueroa led the Bulldogs, who dropped to 1-3, with 11 points apiece.
Meanwhile, in NCAA action, Jose Rizal University pulled off the biggest shocker of the tournament so far, erasing an eight-point deficit in the final three minutes of regulation to stun San Beda in overtime, 75-74.
Rookie Sean Salvador spearheaded the Heavy Bombers’ stunning comeback, draining two clutch triples to cap off an 8-0 run that forced OT. He then nailed another trey in extra time, powering JRU’s 7-2 spurt that gave them a 73-68 lead with 1:47 left.
San Beda made one last push behind Bismarck Lina and Jomel Puno to close the gap to 73-71, but Shawn Argente calmly sank two free throws to seal the deal for the Bombers, who improved to 3-5 in the NCAA bracket.
“Sabi sa’kin ng referees kanina, ‘Coach, parang pang-high school yung team mo,’” said first-year JRU head coach Nani Epondulan, referring to his youthful squad featuring nine rookies.
“Pero masaya akong makita yung laban ng mga bata. At least with Sean, Sanlea [Penaverde], at si Argente, malayo ang mararating ng JRU.”
Salvador finished with 25 points, while Argente added 12. Jay Garupil and Yuri Duque chipped in 14 and 11 markers, respectively, in the win.
Puno led San Beda, which suffered its second straight defeat and third overall in four outings, with 23 points and eight rebounds.
(C) Mags Reyes
In another NCAA matchup, Arellano University edged Lyceum, 78-76, for its third straight win.
CJ Libang paced the Chiefs with 11 points and six rebounds, while T-Mc Ongotan, Maverick Vinoya, and Dre Miller added 10 points each. The victory pushed Arellano to 4-3, tying defending NCAA champion Mapua in the standings.
Despite a strong effort from Gyle Montano, who posted 19 points, four rebounds, and two assists, Lyceum slipped to 1-5.
The Scores:
First Game
JRU 75 – Salvador 25, Garupil 14, Argente 12, Duque 11, Laurenaria 6, Castillo 2, Penaverde 2, Herrera 2, Benitez 1, Lozano 0, Pangilinan 0, Canoza 0, Catapang 0, Esguerra 0
SBU 74 – Puno 23, Calimag RC 11, Andrada 10, Lina 9, Estacio 9, Culdora 7, Songcuya 3, Vailoces 2, Jamora 0, Jalbuena 0, Mina 0, Tolentino 0, Medroso 0
Quarterscores: 18-25, 32-42, 49-56, 66-66, 75-74
Second Game
AU 78 – Libang 11, Vinoya 10, Ongotan 10, Miller 10, Borromeo 8, Cabotaje 7, Valencia 6, Geronimo 5, Abiera 5, Hernal 4, Demetria 2, Espiritu 0, Buenaventura 0, Langit 0, Anama 0, Flores 0
LPU 76 – Montano 19, Penafiel 14, Barba 14, Versoza 8, Moralejo 7, Casino 5, Daileg 4, Matienzo 3, Villegas 2, Panelo 0, Aviles 0, Paulo 0
Quarterscores: 27-21, 42-42, 65-59, 78-76
Third Game
DLSU 69 – Baclaan 18, Cortez J 11, Amos M 10, Abadam 7, Phillips 6, Cortez M 5, Melencio 4, Macalalag 3, Marasigan 3, Dungo 2, Nawankwo 0, Amos C 0
NU 64 – Tulabut 11, Figueroa 11, Manansala 10, Enriquez 9, Jumamoy 8, Santiago 5, Palacielo 4, Francisco 3, Parks 3, Padrones 0, Dela Cruz 0, Alfanta 0, Navarro 0, Reyes 0
Quarterscores: 16-11, 37-37-26, 54-44, 69-66
