The University of the East Red Warriors pulled off a late-game surge to steal the victory from the Mapua Institute of Techonology Cardinals, 98-91, and claimed their third win of the 2016 FilOil Flying V Premier Cup, Sunday evening at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
UE edged out the Cardinals halfway into the opening quarter before the Cardinals made back-to-back layups from CJ Isit and Arvin Dela Cruz to take the lead at 17-14. Mapua continually pounced on the defense of the Warriors and led 31-20 at the end of the first.
The Cardinals’ lead ballooned to 16, 48-32, off an Arvin Gamboa tip-in with 3:34 left in the second frame. The Warriors, with Bonbon Batiller taking charge, clamped down on the Cardinals and cut the deficit to 54-47 at the break.
After Isit took a split on the free throw line, Edgar Charcos eventually stole the advantage, with just a minute left in the game, 93-91. Going shorthanded then took its toll on Mapua while a three-point play by Paul Varilla sealed the deal for the Red Warriors. The final score turned out to be UE’s biggest lead.
UE head coach Derrick Pumaren considered the win as “ugly.” “I wasn’t happy with the way we played. There’s no defense at all,” he said.
However, Pumaren gave credit to how his team responded to pressure. “We played with our backs against the wall, and I liked that. We’re not just trying to win it here, but were thinking down the road, in the UAAP,” he added.
Batiller padded the statsheet for the Warriors with 24 points, three rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Fellow guard Charcos added 12 markers, but none bigger than the crucial jumpers that iced the win.
Meanwhile, Exequiel Biteng paced the Cardinals with 19 points off 40 percent 3-point shooting. Andrew Estrella led the three others in double figures with 17.
Allwell Oraeme missed the game due to fever for the second straight game.
The Red Warriors (B, 3-3) look to solidify their claim on a quarterfinals slot as they face the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, which is also coached by a Pumaren, on their next game. The match is scheduled on next Sunday, June 5 at 3:15pm. On the other hand, Mapua (B, 1-5) tests their mettle against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Thursday, June 2 at 5:00pm.
The Scores:
UE (98) – Batiller 24, Charcos 12, Varilla P. 11, Palma 10, de Leon 10, Acuno 7, Larupay 5, Olayon 4, Pasaol 4, Sta. Ana 3, Armenion 3, Manalang 3, Penuela 2, Varilla J. 0, Bartolome 0, Poblete 0, Gagate 0.
MIT (91) – Biteng 19, Estrella 17, Menina 16, Isit 12, Raflores 9, Gamboa 4, Dela Rosa 4, Bunag 4, Dela Cruz 4, Serrano 2.
Quarterscores: 20-31, 47-54, 72-75, 98-91.
