Behind Juan Gomez de Liano and Jun Manzo, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons stormed back against the Gilas Pilipinas Cadets, taking a 78-72 come-from-behind victory, Tuesday evening.
This is the Fighting Maroons’ second victory in Group A of the 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup presented by Chooks-to-Go. But more importantly, it was their biggest victory so far in all of their pre-season tournaments.
“That was a something that we can go back to everytime. A win we need to remember, going against best of college players and holding our ground no matter what it is,” said Fighting Maroons head coach Bo Perasol. “What’s important is we can tell ourselves that we can keep it together and do what were supposed to do, we can come out as victors every time.”
Down by as much as 16 points midway through the third frame, the Fighting Maroons slowly but surely sliced the deficit. With Gilas up 63-53 with 9:15 left, UP went on a 12-2 run to knot the game with 5:30 left.
“The win is a good boost for us especially for those guys that have helped out like Jun [Manzo], who is not playing really well in the past, the brothers [Gomez de Liano], si Bright [Akhuetie] and the rest,” furthered Perasol.
Isaac Go and Javee Mocon tried to push the Fighting Maroons at bay but a cold-blooded Manzo triple with 3:29 left put UP up for good. On the other end, UP was able to box the Gilas frontline out as the Fighting Maroons led by as much as seven points, 76-69, with 52 ticks remaining.
Gilas cadet Juan Gomez de Liano and Jun Manzo led UP with 22 points each. The former had eight rebounds and four assists as well. Akhuetie tallied a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
The Cadets, who are now 1-4, were paced by Arvin Tolentino, who scored all of his 14 points in the first half. Isaac Go addded 12 markers while Ricci Rivero and Kobe Paras had nine and eight points respectively.
Gilas will next face the NU Bulldogs on Tuesday, May 15.
The Scores:
UP 78 — Ju. Gomez de Liaño 22, Manzo 22, Akhuetie 16, Ja. Gomez de Liaño 6, Vito 3, Lim 2, Murrell 2, Tungcab 2, Gozum 1, Dario 0, Jaboneta 0, Longa 0.
Gilas 72 — A. Tolentino 14, Go 12, R. Rivero 9, Paras 8, Tamayo 7, V. Tolentino 6, Tuffin 5, Mocon 4, P. Rivero 4, Alejandro 3, Ambohot 0.
Quarterscores: 16-18, 27-41, 53-58, 78-72.
