University of Santo Tomas eliminated Adamson University from contention in the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup, securing a 58-54 victory on Wednesday in San Juan.
Mo Tounkara was the rock for the Growling Tigers, producing a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double.
“Basta kami, we are building a winning culture sa team na ’to,” said UST head coach Pido Jarencio.
Amiel Acido, the NCAA Season 99 Juniors Basketball MVP, also made his Tigers debut. He tallied eight points and three rebounds, helping UST rise to a 3-3 record, tying Far Eastern University, which they will face on Friday.
“Amiel, kapapasok lang, maganda yung tinulungan niya sa amin,” added Jarencio on his blue-chip recruit.
Matty Erolon, on the other hand, led the Soaring Falcons, who fell to 2-5, with 12 points, two assists, and two rebounds.
Transferee AJ Fransman added 10 points and seven rebounds.
Meanwhile, the battle for the top spot in the NCAA bracket intensifies, with Colegio de San Juan de Letran and College of St. Benilde still vying for the coveted No. 1 seed.
The Knights ended the eliminations with a 7-2 record, boasting a seven-game winning streak highlighted by their 84-81 triumph over Emilio Aguinaldo College.
Deo Cuajao lit up with 22 points on 71-percent shooting from distance, along with a crucial block on Harvey Pagsanjan’s potential game-tying reverse layup.
Jimboy Estrada and Bryan Alarcon then contributed 15 and 10 points, respectively, for Letran, pushing the 4-4 Generals to the brink of elimination.
“So far, hindi pa rin kami satisfied, but on the positive side, siguro percentage-wise, noong nagsimula kami April until this first week of June, from 5 percent naging 15 percent na kami. Pero malayo pa yung tatahakin ng team namin,” said newly-formalized first-year head coach Allen Ricardo.
The Blazers, for their part, scored a 77-72 victory over University of Perpetual Help to stay a step ahead of the Knights.
Mowell Morales and Matthew Oli each contributed 14 points for red-hot Benilde, now on a seven-game win run following a loss to open the preseason tournament co-presented by Bostik El Heneral and ABC Tile Adhesive, and sponsored by Smart Sports, Strong Group Athletics, and Hanes.
“Whether we’re No. 1 or 2, it doesn’t matter, malakas naman lahat sa kabilang bracket. We’re gonna have four games, possibly five, in seven days if we make it to the semis. So it’s about being wise and preparing for the quarterfinals,” said head coach Charles Tiu.
Tiu’s wards, however, would need to find a way through EAC on the last day of eliminations on Thursday at the same venue to claim the top seed.
A win would raise the Blazers’ standing to 8-1, while a loss would relegate them to a tie with Letran, which owns the head-to-head tiebreaker.
The Generals went on a 4-1 rampage to start the preseason showcase, also supported by Tela.com Athletics as official outfitter and Molten as official game ball, as well as minor sponsors Reyes Barbecue, KFC, Brothers Burger, Wallem Philippines Shipping, Harbor Star Shipping Services, Akari, Jiang Nan Hotpot, and KantiGo Sports, but have now dropped three in a row even after Nico Quinal’s 17 points. They now hope to upset Benilde and have help from other teams to have a shot at the next round.
On the other hand, the Altas bowed out with a 4-5 slate. Christian Pagaran paced them as always with 22 markers.
Still on the NCAA side, Mapua University downed Arellano University, 79-71, to improve its record to 5-4 and increase its chances at the quarterfinals.
Aaron Fermin finished with a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, while rookie Lawrence Mangubat registered 17 markers and five boards for the Cardinals, who now await the results of EAC and San Beda University’s (5-3) games tomorrow.
Jaedan Ongotan stood out with 16 points and six rebounds for the 3-5 and already-eliminated Chiefs.
Jose Rizal University then scored their second win at the expense of San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 95-87.
Steady guard MJ Raymundo was two assists shy of a triple-double, recording 15 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, while Jonathan Medina backed him up with 20 points and eight rebounds for the 2-6 Heavy Bombers.
Raymart Escobido shone in the final game of the 3-6 Golden Stags, tallying 22 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
The Filoil Preseason quarterfinals and semifinals are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, respectively, while the championship match tips off on June 12.
