Defending champion University of the Philippines kept its bid for a fourth straight title alive in the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup after escaping Mapua, 67-64, in the quarterfinals on Friday in San Juan.
Jacob Bayla knocked down a clutch corner three with 2:22 remaining to give the Fighting Maroons a 63-58 advantage. He also anchored UP’s defense against Mapua wingmen Cyrus Cuenco and Lance Nitura down the stretch to secure the victory.
The third-year winger finished with 16 points, five rebounds, and two assists to lead State U, which kept the UAAP banner flying.
“We did have difficulties, especially on the defensive end. But at the end of the day, for me, the team responded well, especially in the fourth quarter. Yung depensa namin was tighter kung kelan naman kailangan,” said UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde. “I think yun naman ang isang bagay na gusto naming i-improve, na when the challenge is there, we respond to it.”
Gani Stevens provided a spark off the bench with 13 points and five rebounds, while Veejay Pre chipped in nine points and five boards.
Cuenco led Mapua’s gallant effort with 19 points and five assists.
The victory arranged a semifinal showdown between UP and San Beda, which pulled off an impressive 64-59 upset of De La Salle University.
Zed Etulle scored five of the Red Lions’ final seven points, while Penny Estacio sealed the win by sinking two free throws with 15.3 seconds left.
“We know people were doubting, but we made sure our guys believed that we could win,” said San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta after the Mendiola squad emerged victorious in the clash between last season’s NCAA and UAAP champions.
Etulle finished with 10 points and three assists, while Dom Sarigumba filled the stat sheet with 10 points, seven assists, and six rebounds.
For the first time since 2017, three NCAA teams advanced to the semifinals of the premier preseason tournament.
La Salle was paced by Jacob Cortez, who tallied 13 points, six rebounds, and five assists in the loss.
Meanwhile, the NCAA is assured of having a finalist for the first time since 2019 after Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Jose Rizal University booked a semifinal showdown in the other bracket.
The Knights stunned University of Santo Tomas, 103-102, in overtime.
George Diamante completed Letran’s remarkable comeback from a 96-89 deficit in the extra period. He stole the ball from Kirk Cañete before converting the go-ahead layup with 4.6 seconds remaining.
“I’m happy na yung composure nila down the stretch, hindi talaga bumitaw. Full effort lang ang ginawa namin at importante lang sa amin kung paano kami makipag-compete at the highest level,” said Letran head coach Allen Ricardo.
Diamante bounced back from his late-game miscues to finish with 11 points, seven rebounds, four steals, three blocks, and three assists.
Chad Gammad also caught fire, knocking down seven three-pointers en route to 27 points. Jimboy Estrada added 22 points and four rebounds, while Titing Manalili orchestrated the offense with a tournament-best 15 assists to go with 12 points and six rebounds.
The loss wasted Amiel Acido’s 20-point performance for UST, as he also collected seven rebounds and six assists. Koji Buenaflor contributed 18 points and six boards.
In the day’s final quarterfinal, Jalen Garcia took over late as Jose Rizal University edged National University, 62-61.
The first-year guard scored 10 of his 17 points in the final five minutes, leading the Heavy Bombers back from a 56-49 fourth-quarter deficit to stun the favored Bulldogs.
Chris Hubilla added 15 points and two steals before fouling out in the final minute.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, if ever we lose, bakasyon na kami. And tinanong ko sila kung yun ba yung gusto nila, and sumagot sila ng hindi. If you don’t want to go to vacation this early, eh di trabahuin natin possession-by-possession,” said JRU head coach Nani Epondulan, praising his team’s resilience.
“Wala nang sorry, wala nang ‘akin ito’. Kailangan lahat ngayon tama na.”
Reinhard Jumamoy and Mo Diassana scored 13 points apiece for the Bulldogs in the losing effort.
The Scores:
First Game:
Jose Rizal 62 – Garcia 17, Hubilla 15, Eligado 8, Laurenaria 7, Salvador 5, Mangubat 3, Palis 3, Masiglat 3, Lozano 1, Panapanaan 0, Garupil 0, Duque 0, Bagro 0.
NU 61 – Jumamoy 13, Diassana 13, Palacielo 10, Reyes 6, Padrones 5, Alfanta 4, Serrano 4, Laconsay 3, Francisco 2, Garcia 1, Cartel 0, Figueroa 0, Solomon 0.
Quarterscores: 14-15, 29-32, 47-50, 62-61.
Second Game:
Letran 103 – Gammad 27, Estrada 22, Buensalida 19, Manalili 12, Diamante 11, Cargo 4, Siena 3, Santos 2, Hugo 2, Silorio 1, Montecillo 0, Valdeavilla 0.
UST 102 – Acido 20, Buenaflor 18, Osang 17, Llemit 14, Cañete 7, Manding 7, Alao 6, Danting 3, Bucsit 3, Sevilla 3, Esteban 2, Mara 2, Dela Cruz 0.
Quarterscores: 24-20, 46-49, 72-69, 89-89, 103-102.
Third Game:
UP 67 – Bayla 16, Stevens 13, Pre 9, Alter 7, Briones 5, Ogana 5, Palanca 4, Poyos 3, Yniguez 2, Tovera 2, Dimaculangan 1, Remogat 0, Franco 0, Coronel 0, Andres 0.
Mapua 64 – Cuenco 19, Concepcion 9, M. Nitura 8, S. Reyes 7, Lazarte 6, Diaz 5, L. Nitura 4, Bernabe 4, Igliane 2, Ryan 0, Pascual 0, Lloren 0.
Quarterscores: 19-15, 38-30, 55-47, 67-64.
Fourth Game:
San Beda 64 – Etulle 10, Sarigumba 10, Estacio 8, Puno 7, Hawkins 6, Songcuya 6, Bonzalida 5, Jamora 5, RC. Calimag 4, Ri. Calimag 3, Ugaddan 0, Jalbuena 0, Dabao 0, Culdora 0.
DLSU 59 – Cortez 13, Amos 11, Dungo 10, Marasigan 9, Macalalag 6, Pablo 4, Daep 4, Cibull 2, Abadam 0, Gagate 0.
Quarterscores: 16-12, 33-27, 46-39, 64-59.
