University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines now share the top spot in the UAAP Group standings of the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive.
First to strike were the Growling Tigers, who leaned on the leadership of Forthsky Padrigao to outlast a gritty Adamson Soaring Falcons, 69–62, while ighting Maroons flexed their depth and balance to overpower the University of the East Red Warriors, 89–71, on Thursday.
The Tigers pounced early with a 10–2 start and maintained control for most of the game. However, they momentarily let up and allowed the Soaring Falcons to storm back, cutting the lead to just two, 64–62, with 54 seconds remaining.
Coming off a timeout, head coach Pido Jarencio lit a fire under his squad as UST tightened its defensive screws. Nigerian big man Peter Osang and Padrigao then combined to go 3-of-4 from the free-throw line, sealing the win.
“We’re using this preseason naman to learn. Kasama na dun yung composure, na nandun naman kanina, especially yung leadership ni Forth,” said assistant coach Japs Cuan.
Padrigao finished with 22 points, including five triples, alongside four steals, three rebounds, and three assists. Osang contributed three points, six rebounds, four blocks, and two steals, while Gelo Crisostomo added 14 markers to help offset the absence of top gun Nic Cabanero.
The victory lifted UST to a 2–0 start in this tournament backed by major sponsors PlayTime Cares, Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Bostik El Heneral, Jiang Nan Hotpot, Lamtex Pipes, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas, with Harbor Star, Wallem, Akari, BDO, Tela.com Athletics, Nature’s Spring, Reyes Barbecue, and Brothers Burger serving as minor sponsors.
(C) Filoil
UP had five players scoring in double figures, led by Terrence Fortea, who poured in 19 points on five triples. Nigerian center Francis Nnoruka and Gerry Abadiano chipped in 13 points apiece.
After trailing by one midway through the third, the Maroons unleashed a massive offensive burst that turned a 49–50 deficit into a 73–59 cushion by the seven-minute mark of the fourth quarter. Fortea sparked the rally with two three-pointers, while Chico Briones, Miguel Yniguez, and Rey Remogat also knocked down treys to fuel the surge.
With identical 2–0 records, UP and UST are now tied atop the group standings. UP faces a marquee finals rematch against La Salle on Saturday, while UST takes on Far Eastern University two days later.
For the Red Warriors, Precious Momowei stood out with a 23-point, 18-rebound double-double in their opening loss. Meanwhile, Royce Mantua was the lone double-digit scorer for the now 0–2 Adamson Falcons, finishing with 10 points.
In NCAA Group action, Perpetual spoiled the anticipated debut of Fil-Am Janti Miller by handing San Beda a 67–58 defeat.
The Altas erased an early four-point deficit and surged to a 21–12 opening quarter lead, which they never relinquished. Mark Gojo Cruz led the team with 13 points, but it was Patrick Sleat who delivered the most well-rounded performance: eight points, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals to help Perpetual even their record at 1–1.
Miller sat out the game for San Beda, which was paced by Zane Jalbuena’s 13-point effort.
Meanwhile, Emilio Aguinaldo College kept San Sebastian and new head coach Rob Labagala winless, pulling off a 68–60 victory.
Joshua Tolentino led the debuting Generals with 12 points on a perfect shooting night—4-of-4 from the field and 3-of-3 from the line. Kyle Ochavo and Jude Bagay followed suit with 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
Only Ralph Gabat reached double figures for the Golden Stags with 14 points, as the squad continues to adjust under the leadership of the former Ginebra guard.
The Scores:
First Game
EAC 68 – Tolentino 12, Ochavo 11, Bagay 10, Shanoda 8, Quinal 5, Castillo 4, Villarente 4, Angeles 3, Omandac 3, Oftana 2, Loristo 2, Bacud 2, Jacob 2, Cudiamat 0, Devara 0, Postanes 0
SSCR 60 – Gabat 14, Nepacena 8, Gomez de Liano 8, Pillado 6, Lumanag 6, Acosta 5, Felebrico 4, Castor 4, Ricio 3, Ilagan 2, Cabilla 0, Pascual 0
Quarterscores: 22-17, 34-34, 50-45, 68-60
Second Game
UST 69 – Padrigao 22, Crisostomo 14, Llemit 7, Buenaflor 6, Mara 6, Bucsit 6, Osang 3, Alao 3, Danting 2, Acido 0, Estacio 0, Calum 0, Mahmood 0
ADU 62 – Mantua 10, Fransman 9, Ronzone C 8, Medina 7, Manzano 7, Gaye 6, Anabo 4, Ronzone A 3, Sajili 2, Tumaneng 2, Competente 2, Sicat 2, Demisana 0, Edding 0, Barcelona 0
Quarterscores: 17-8, 40-31, 58-47, 69-62
Third Game
UPHSD 67 – Gojo Cruz 13, Casinillo 10, Sleat 8, Duremdes 8, Boral 6, Abis 4, Nunez 3, Pagulayan 3, Maglupay 3, Tulabut 3, Borja 2, Alcantara 2, Cristino 2, Magdangal 0, Baldoria 0
SBU 58 – Jalbuena 13, Reyes 9, Calimag RC 8, Medroso 7, Lina 6, Jamora 5, Calimag Ri 3, Gonzales 3, Estacio 2, Vailoces 2, Bonzalida 0, Hawkins 0, Lopez 0, Culdora 0, Torres 0
Quarterscores: 21-12, 38-26, 57-47, 67-58
Fourth Game
UP 89 – Fortea 19, Abadiano 13, Nnoruka 13, Belmonte 10, Stevens 10, Remogat 8, Yniguez 6, Briones 3, Coronel 2, Gagate 2, Alter 2, Torres 1, Felicilda 0, Andres 0
UE 81 – Momowei 23, Abate 20, Lingolingo 15, Mulingtapang 9, Robles 4, Jimenez 0, Despi 0, Malaga 0, Lagat 0, Spandonis 0
Quarterscores: 20-16, 43-41, 67-59, 89-71
