Mark Belmonte shone brightly in University of the Philippines’ 88-55 rout of the Jerom Lastimosa-less Adamson University to open Group Edge of the 2023 Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup on Sunday at EAC Gym.
Belmonte tallied 11 points and seven rebounds, leading five Fighting Maroons in double-digits for the contest.
Harold Alarcon was the high-point man for UP with 15 points while Cyril Gonzales got 11 points. Francis Lopez and Joel Cagulangan both chipped in 10 points apiece as well with the former also grabbing five boards.
“Ang game naman talaga ng bawat team dito, even sa amin lalo na – especially sa mga rookies… ‘Yung experience na makukuha nila playing against this level sa college, diba?” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde on letting his newly recruits play in the league.
“So although, they had experience playing at the juniors level, pero iba pa rin, so ‘yung mga ganitong klaseng pre-season league, we really, kumbaga… It’s a gonna be a big factor para sa improvement nila,” he added.
It was a foul-plagued game for both squads that saw UP being penalized with 29 fouls while Adamson had 17 fouls.
Adamson could not take advantage of the 42 free throws given to them, only converting on 17. At the end of the game, Soaring Falcons head coach Nash Racela made the team shoot free throws before heading back to their dorm in nearby Adamson.
Lastimosa did not play in the game as he is with Gilas in its bubble camp at Inspire Sports Academy.
UP’s UAAP rival National University, meanwhile, clipped Philippine Christian University in Group Prime action, 85-76.
Bobby Mark Parks, brother of former UAAP MVP Ray, got 15 points in the contest.
Supporting him were Mohamed Diassana with 13 points and nine rebounds and Renzo Abiera with 10 markers. Engr. Patrick Yu also chipped in nine points.
Yam Concepcion scored a team-high 15 points for the Dolphins.
In the other Group Edge game, Lyceum of the Philippines University fended off Guang Ming College, 77-69.
Renz Villegas led the way for the Pirates with 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Meanwhile, Enoch Valdez produced an all-around line of 12 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
Joshua Jamias paced the Flying Dragons with 26 points and seven rebounds. Kingsley Lataotao and Stephen Ihebem added 14 points and 10 rebounds, respectively.
In an all-NCAA battle in Group Edge, Ralph Robin steered Emilio Aguinaldo College in a lopsided 88-70 win against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
Robin led the Generals with 15 points, four assists, three steals, and two rebounds, while Ralph Bajon contributed 10 points, three boards, and three steals. Martin Robin, Ruzzelle Dominguez, and Stephen Villaflor had eight points apiece.
Ralph Mobida paced the Altas with 23 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. JP Boral and Christian Pagaran added 16 and 10 points, respectively.
