University of Santo Tomas became the first team from the UAAP Group to clinch a playoff berth in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive after outlasting the University of the East, 71–65, on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Kyle Paranada haunted his former team with a scorching 24-point performance built on five triples, along with three steals, to steer the Growling Tigers to victory.
“My teammates and coaches, they all trust me to shoot the ball, so that’s what I’m gonna do,” said Paranada, who scored seven crucial points in the final four minutes as UE rallied from an 11-point deficit.
With the Red Warriors cutting the lead to just two, 60–62, at the 3:50 mark of the fourth quarter, Paranada drained a dagger triple. That ignited a 7–2 run that pushed UST ahead, 69–62, with 16 seconds remaining.
UE’s John Abate responded with a trey of his own to cut the deficit to 65–69, but Paranada calmly sank two free throws to seal the win and improve UST’s record to 4–1.
Team captain Nic Cabañero chipped in 15 points and five rebounds, while standout rookie Koji Buenaflor added 11 markers and seven boards.
Wello Lingolingo was the lone bright spot for the still-winless UE (0–5), erupting for 27 points and seven rebounds in the loss in this tournament which is supported by major sponsors PlayTime Cares, Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Bostik El Heneral, Jiang Nan Hotpot, Lamtex Pipes, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas, along with minor sponsors Harbor Star, Wallem, Akari, BDO, Tela.com Athletics, Nature’s Spring, Reyes Barbecue, and Brothers Burger.
Meanwhile, the NCAA side of the bracket is now complete after De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde delivered a 38-point beatdown of San Beda University, 102–64.
The Blazers were red-hot, converting 50-percent of their two-point attempts (23-of-46) and an even better 57-percent from beyond the arc, draining 15 triples. Tony Ynot contributed 12 points, six assists, and three rebounds, including four three-pointers.
Ernest Daja led the scoring charge with 13 points, while forward Shawn Umali added 10 as Benilde improved to 6–1 — joining Letran (7–1) and Emilio Aguinaldo College (6–1) in the tight race for the top seed.
Earlier in the day, Arellano secured the final NCAA playoff spot with an 82–60 rout of Jose Rizal University, riding on a monster outing from Maverick Vinoya, who tallied 29 points, eight rebounds, and five steals.
CJ Libang backed him up with 18 points and six boards, while T-Mc Ongotan chipped in 11 markers and six steals for the Chiefs, who improved to 6–3.
Arellano now joins Letran, Benilde, and EAC in the quarterfinals.
On the other hand, reigning NCAA champion Mapua missed out after suffering its third consecutive loss, this time falling to Perpetual, 63–55.
The Altas (5–4) closed the game with a decisive 10–3 run in the final five minutes, fueled by Patrick Sleat’s 13 points and four assists. Josh Alcantara added nine markers in support.
Cyril Gonzales led Mapua (4–5) with 11 points. JRU (3–6) was paced by Shawn Argente’s 24 points, while Janti Miller dropped 19 markers for San Beda (2–4).
The Scores:
First Game
AU 82 – Vinoya 29, Libang 18, Ongotan 11, Cabotaje 6, Demetria 4, Abiera 3, Valencia 3, Miller 3, Borromeo 2, Flores 2, Espiritu 1, Geronimo 0, Langit 0, Camay 0, Hernal 0, Buenaventura 0
JRU 60 – Argente 24, Salvador 10, Garupil 10, Panapanaan 7, Pangilinan 5, Soleimani 1, Benitez 1, Catapang 0, Castillo 0, Canoza 0, Duque 0, Peñaverde 0, Herrera 0
Quarterscores: 24-11, 47-29, 62-42, 82-60
Second Game
UPHSD 63 – Sleat 13, Alcantara 9, Pagulayan 8, Maglupay 5, Abis 5, Orgo 5, Boral 5, Casinillo 3, Baldoria 3, Gojo Cruz 3, Nunez 2, Duremdes 2, Magdangal 0, Borja 0, Pizzaro 0
MU 55 – Gonzales 11, Cuenco 8, Delos Reyes 7, Sapasap 6, Nitura 6, Escamis 4, Gulapa 4, Concepcion 4, Lazarte 3, Recto 2, Igliane 0, Callangan 0, Abdulla 0
Quarterscores: 16-14, 35-35, 46-48, 63-55
Third Game
UST 71 – Paranada 24, Cabañero 15, Buenaflor 11, Danting 4, Calum 3, Padrigao 3, Osang 2, Estacio 2, Laure 1, Bangco 1, Llemit 0, Bucsit 0, Sevilla 0
UE 65 – Lingolingo 27, Momowei 17, Abate 9, Cruz-Dumont 6, Datumlalim 3, Malaga 2, Go 1, Spandonis 0, Mulingtapang 0, Lagat 0, Cabero 0, Distrito 0, Despi 0
Quarterscores: 13-17, 36-34, 53-46, 71-65
Fourth Game
CSB 102 – Daja 13, Ynot 12, Umali 10, Cometa 9, Torres 7, Moore 7, Jalalon 6, Gaspay 6, Cajucom 6, Oli 5, Morales 5, Liwag 5, Galas 5, Celis 4, Ancheta 2, Gonzaga 0
SBU 64 – Miller 19, Culdora 11, Puno 10, Lina 7, Andrada 7, Etulle 6, Estacio 2, Jalbuena 2, Calimag, J. 0, Jamora 0, Bonzalida 0, Calimag, C. 0, Gonzales 0, Songcuya 0, Celzo 0
Quarterscores: 33-19, 72-40, 91-53, 102-64
