Chicco Briones celebrated his 23rd birthday in style, exploding for 21 points to lead University of the Philippines past Far Eastern University, 75–65, and back into the win column in the Playtime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
With main gunner Harold Alarcon serving a one-game suspension, Briones took charge of the Fighting Maroons’ offense on Thursday at the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil Centre.
“Chicco has been there, done that. He’s had minutes, he’s not had minutes, but now in his third year, we’re expecting more from him,” said UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon.
(C) Mags Reyes
It wasn’t until midway through the third quarter that Briones linked up with Jacob Bayla and Reyland Torres for a crucial 15-0 blitz that erased a three-point deficit and gave UP a 64–52 lead early in the final frame.
FEU managed to trim the gap to as close as five, 66–61, but couldn’t string together enough stops as State U pulled away to snap a two-game skid — having lost back-to-back games to La Salle and University of Santo Tomas.
Torres finished with 12 points and five rebounds, while Bayla added seven points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. The two helped the Maroons compensate for Alarcon’s absence following his ejection in the previous game.
Now holding a 3–2 record, UP is ready to leave for Serbia for a training camp before wrapping up its elimination round campaign against Adamson on July 9.
(C) Mags Reyes
Meanwhile, the Tamaraws absorbed their first loss in three games despite a monster 23-point, 16-rebound double-double from Mo Konateh.
Over in the NCAA bracket, College of Saint Benilde remained the only unbeaten team, while Letran and Emilio Aguinaldo College continued to keep pace near the top of the standings.
The Blazers cruised past winless San Sebastian, 81–52, behind a well-balanced offensive effort. Matthew Oli led the way with 12 points on three triples, while Ernest Daja added 10 markers to power Benilde to a perfect 5–0 record.
“I would say this is our best game yet this preseason, and hopefully, we keep it up,” said CSB head coach Charles Tiu, who saw 15 of his 16 players contribute to the scoring.
Letran, meanwhile, surged in the second half to take down Perpetual, 80–65, and solidify its hold on solo second at 4–1.
Jimboy Estrada delivered an all-around performance with 21 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Titing Manalili notched a 12-point, 10-assist double-double to lead the Knights’ charge.
EAC also picked up a key win, clipping reigning NCAA champion Mapua, 71–64, behind the steady play of Wilmar Oftana and Joshua Tolentino.
Oftana tallied 16 points and five rebounds, while Tolentino chipped in 11 — nine of which came from beyond the arc — as the Generals improved to 3–1.
In the losing effort, TJ Abdulla led the Cardinals (2–2) with 13 points. For the Altas (1–2), Patrick Sleat and Mark Gojo Cruz had 11 points each, while JD Cabilla scored 14 in another tough outing for the Golden Stags (0–6).
The Scores:
First Game
EAC 71 — Oftana 16, Tolentino 11, Bagay 9, Shanoda 7, Castillo 6, Quinal 6, Ochavo 4, Dominguez 4, Omandac 4, Villarente 2, Angeles 2, Postanes 0, Loristo 0, Bacud 0, Cudiamat 0
MU 64 — Abdulla 13, Gonzales 11, Gulapa 10, Cuenco 9, Recto 6, Delos Reyes 6, Concepcion 6, Sapasap 3, Nitura 0, Igliane 0, Escamis 0
Quarterscores: 27-27, 43-42, 52-54, 71-64
Second Game
CSB 81 — Oli 12, Daja 10, Cajucom 9, Eusebio 8, Liwag 8, Celis 7, Gaspay 6, Umali 4, Moore 3, Cometa 3, Victoria 3, Ancheta 2, Gonzaga 2, Torres 2, Ynot 2, Morales 0
SSC-R 52 — Cabilla 14, Felebrico 12, Ricio 8, Pillado 7, Lumanag 7, Nepacena 2, Dimaunahan 1, Ilagan 1, Gabat 0, Castor 0, Acosta 0, De Liaño 0, Kitane 0
Quarterscores: 21-11, 41-26, 66-41, 81-52
Third Game
CSJL 80 — Estrada 21, Manalili 12, Cuajao 11, Tapenio 9, Buensalida 7, Roque 7, Rosilio 6, Santos 4, Omega 3, Silorio 0, Yusi 0
UPHSD 65 — Boral 13, Gojo Cruz 11, Sleat 11, Casinillo 10, Alcantara 6, Abis 6, Orgo 4, Maglupay 4, Nunez 2, Borja 0, Roluna 0, Duremdes 0, Baldoria 0, Pagulayan 0, Tulabut 0
Quarterscores: 13-21, 34-37, 62-53, 80-65
Fourth Game
UP 75 — Briones 21, Torres 12, Nnoruka 9, Alter 8, Bayla 7, Felicilda 6, Fortea 6, Stevens 2, Yniguez 2, Gagate 2, Coronel 0, Andres 0
FEU 65 — Konateh 23, Bautista 16, Pasaol 15, Felipe 5, Mongcopa 4, Daa 2, Shelton 0, Montemayor 0, Salangsang 0, Bagunu 0, Nakai 0, Ona 0
Quarterscores: 25-22, 38-42, 60-52, 75-65
