National University continued its strong run in the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, turning back a Gilas Pilipinas Boys, 93-72, on Friday in San Juan.
Using the tournament as part of its buildup for the FIBA U18 Asia Cup, the Gilas Youth team—made up mostly of high school standouts—struggled to keep pace with the more experienced Bulldogs, who seized control from the opening tip.
Malian center Mo Diassana dominated the paint, scoring 11 of his game-high 20 points during NU’s blistering 19-0 start in the first quarter. He also hauled down nine rebounds as the Bulldogs overwhelmed Gilas Youth on the glass, 51-28.
NU never looked back from there, with PJ Palacielo contributing 15 points and four rebounds, Tebol Garcia adding 13 points, three assists, and two rebounds, while Mac Alfanta and Johncel Borjal chipped in 10 points each.
The victory stretched the Bulldogs’ winning streak to four games and improved their record to 5-1, strengthening their bid for one of the top two seeds in the UAAP Group of the premier preseason tournament.
Despite the loss, Joaquin Tovera continued to shine for Gilas Youth (0-5), finishing with 24 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Bruce Tubongbanua and Andrew Chio added 17 points apiece.
Meanwhile, Mapua secured the final playoff berth after escaping San Sebastian, 68-66.
Cyrus Nitura converted the go-ahead layup before Yam Concepcion split a pair of free throws to give the Cardinals a two-point cushion with 8.0 seconds remaining.
The Golden Stags still had an opportunity to force overtime, but Carlo John Ynot and Christian Ricio both missed their attempts as time expired.
“It’s good for us dahil we experienced a lot of different scenarios in our last four games,” said Mapua head coach Chito Victolero. “The thing here is we stay composed on the last two minutes of the game at hindi kami nag-give up.”
MC Cuenco led the Cardinals with 16 points and four assists, while Basti Reyes added 14 points and five rebounds as Mapua improved to 6-1, creating a three-way tie for second place in the NCAA Group with idle San Beda and Letran.
San Sebastian, meanwhile, squandered an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter and suffered its eighth straight defeat. Arwin Alforque was the lone bright spot with 16 points and seven rebounds.
In the day’s other game, Matthew Jucom continued his impressive rookie campaign as St. Benilde turned back Arellano, 65-59.
The first-year guard posted a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds as the Blazers evened their record at 4-4.
Holding onto a slim 57-56 advantage with 3:24 left, St. Benilde closed the game on an 8-1 run, highlighted by six straight points from Jucom to build a commanding 65-57 lead with 1:12 remaining.
Jhomel Ancheta added 10 points and five rebounds, while Justine Sanchez chipped in 10 points and four assists for the Blazers.
Maverick Vinoya paced the still-winless Chiefs (0-8) with 13 points, while T-Mc Ongotan contributed 10 in the defeat.
The Scores:
First Game:
Mapua 68 – Cuenco 16, S. Reyes 14, Igliane 10, Concepcion 9, Diaz 8, M. Nitura 7, L. Nitura 3, Pascual 1, F. Reyes 0, Callangan 0, Lloren 0.
San Sebastian 66 – Alforque 16, Gabat 14, Castor 10, Ricio 10, Acosta 4, Ynot 4, Muktimar 2, Bacani 2, Segovia 2, Salvo 2, Suico 0, Kitane 0, Gomez de Liaño 0, Barroga 0.
Quarterscores: 17-13, 37-38, 60-50, 68-66.
Second Game:
Saint Benilde 65 – Jucom 12, Ancheta 10, Sanchez 10, Liwag 9, Celis 8, Moore 4, Cajucom 3, Torres 3, Jarque 3, Daja 2, Gonzaga 1, Morales 0, Podador 0, Go 0, Lorenzo 0.
Arellano 59 – Vinoya 13, Ongotan 10, Geronimo 6, Abiera 5, Buenaventura 4, Manansala 4, Demetria 4, Langit 3, Ladica 3, Valencia 3, Borromeo 2, Mendoza 2, Flores 0, Barraca 0, De Leon 0.
Quarterscores: 19-18, 29-35, 52-45, 65-59.
Third Game:
NU 93 – Diassana 20, Palacielo 15, Garcia 13, Alfanta 10, Borjal 10, Jumamoy 8, Laconsay 5, Reyes 2, Francisco 2, Serrano 2, Figueroa 2, Perciano 2, Padrones 2, Cartel 0, Miranda 0.
Gilas U18 72 – Tovera 24, Chio 17, Tubongbanua 17, Razon 6, Espinas 3, Pasinos 3, Lacson 2, Arsic 0.
Quarterscores: 28-15, 45-28, 71-49, 93-72.
