By: Jonash Dannug
Despite playing without their top guns, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons found an unusual hero in Janjan Jaboneta, as they upend the University of the East Red Warriors, 66-61, in the 12th Filoil Flying V Preseason Tournament, presented by Chooks-to-Go.
Down by a one with 49 seconds remaining in the game, Jaboneta fired a desperate three to give UP the lead, 63-61. He then iced the game after splitting his free throws, 66-61, to give UP their fifth win in eight outings.
“Nakita na wala ng shot clock, so paubos na. Binigay ni Jarell sakin so tinake ko nalang ‘din ‘yung shot, kaya nabigyan ng chance pumasok,” Jaboneta said after hitting the game-winner for UP.
Jaboneta gave credit to his coach for trusting him in crucial times like these.
“Thankful ako kay coach na binibigyan niya ako ng chance, sa time ko sa UP ito lang si coach ‘yung nagbigay sa akin ng lakas ng loob na maglaro so gina-grab ko lang ‘yung saka binibigay ko lang ‘yung best ko,” the Cebuano shared.
Bright Akhuetie led the Maroons with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Jun Manzo chipped in 13 points, while Jaboneta added eight points and seven boards for UP.
Meanwhile, the Red Warriors, who absorbed their fourth loss in the tournament, were led by Rey Acuno with 14 points and seven boards.
UP missed the services of Paul Desiderio and Javi Gomez de Liano, who are currently taking their exams. The Diliman-based squad also played without Gilas Cadet Juan Gomez de Liano, who is still nursing an ankle injury.
After a long break, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles picked up where they left off as they demolished the National University Bulldogs, 94-60, to keep their slate clean at the top of Group A tied with La Salle.
“They were itching for a game and I’m reasonably pleased with them,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin, as his team is coming from their annual camp in Baler.
Thirdy Ravena spearheaded Ateneo’s attack with 20 points and eight rebounds. Angelo Kouame tallied 12 points and 16 rebounds, while Mike Nieto added 11 and four to help steer the Blue Eagles to a 5-0 card.
The National University, who fell at 3-4, were led by Shaun Ildefonso with 16 points and five boards. Ildefonso was the only one in double digits for the Bulldogs.
The Adamson University Soaring Falcons handed the College of Saint Benilde Blazers their first loss with a 20-point beating, 80-60, to forge a three-way tie with the Far Eastern University Tamaraws and Benilde at the top of group B.
Sean Manganti notched 17 markers and grabbed nine boards for the Soaring Falcons. Jerom Lastimosa scored 13 points and dished five assists, while Jerrick Ahanmisi added 11 points.
For the Blazers, Kendrix Belgica scored 18 points, while Clement Leutcheu added 15 points and 10 boards for Saint Benilde.
Yankie Haruna played just 20 minutes after injuring his left hamstring during the third frame of the game.
After being down by as much as 14 points in the final minutes of the game, the Arellano University Chiefs completed their late-game rally to hand the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers a bitter end to their campaign, 76-74, behind Maui Sera Josef’s crucial four-point play.
Guilmer Dela Tore fired 15 points for the Chiefs, who notched their third win in the tournament. Maui Sera Josef added 14 points and four rebounds.
Jed Mendoza scored 15 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists for JRU, who bow out of the tournament with a 0-8 card. MJ Dela Virgen added 15 points, four rebounds, and five assists.
The Scores:
First Game:
AU (76) – Dela Tore 15, Sera Jose 14, Alban 11, Chavez 8, Meca 7, Concepcion 6, Bayla 5, Ongolo Ongolo 4, Abdurasad 2, Abanes 2, Santis 2, Dela Cruz 0, Alcoriza 0, Dumagan 0, Labarda 0, Codinera 0, Filart 0
JRU (74) – Mendoza 15, Dela Virgen 15, Ramos 9, Bordon 9, Esguerra 7, Padua 6, Silvarez 5, Dela Rosa 5, De Guzman 3, Mallari 0, David 0, Estrella 0
Quarterscores: 12-20, 27-38, 44-50, 76-74
Second Game:
UP (66) – Akhuetie 17, Manzo 13, Jaboneta 8, Gozum 7, Prado 7, Vito 6, Lim 3, Murell 3, Dario 2, Tungcab 0, Santiago 0, Longa 0, Espanola 0
UE (61) – Acuno 14, Pasaol 13, Conner 13, Varilla 12, Antiporda 4, Manalang 3, Gagate 2, Bartolome 0, Strait 0, Maloles 0, Sobrevega 0, Dimayuga 0, Cullar 0
Quarterscores: 15-12, 26-24, 52-43, 66-61
Third Game:
AdU (80) – Manganti 17, Lastimosa 13, Ahanmisi 11, Catapusan 9, Mojica 8, Sarr 6, Colonia 6, Camacho 5, Espleta 2, Zaldivar 2, V. Magbuhos 1, Orquez 0, Macion 0, W. Magbuhos 0
CSB (60) – Belgica 18, Leutcheu 15, Carlos 9, Domingo 6, Dixon 5, Velasco 4, Naboa 3, Young 0, Flores 0
Quarterscores: 18-8, 32-21, 63-47, 80-60
Fourth Game:
ADMU (94) – Ravena 20, Kouame 12, Mi. Nieto 11, Mendoza 9, Ma. Nieto 8, Navarro 7, Asistio 6, Tio 6, Belangel 5, Black 3, Maagdenberg 3, Wong 2, Mamuyac 2
NU (60) – Ildefonso S. 16, Mosqueda 8, Mangayaom 7, Joson 6, Clemente 5, Ildefonso D. 5, Aquino 5, Galinato 3, Gallego 2, Salim 2, Diputado 1, Yu 0, Sinclair 0, Gaye 0, Tibayan 0
Quarterscores: 26-10, 48-33, 69-46, 94-60
