Far Eastern University leaned on the rookie duo of Veejay Pre and JR Pasaol to edge University of the East, 80-76, to take their second win in the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup on Saturday in San Juan.
Pre ignited a 16-3 run down the stretch to capture their second win in the preseason meet.
“Ang ganda nung dinepensa nila nung una. Medyo nung start, ang lambot namin. Yung depensa namin nag-start ng offense,” said FEU head of basketball operations Denok Miranda.
Pre, the UAAP Season 86 Boys’ 3×3 MVP, finished with 22 points and six rebounds Pasaol tallied 13 points, seven assists, and six rebounds.
“Ever since naman si Veejay, same lang ng kwento ni Janrey. Kilala namin sila. Pinaka maganda kay Veejay is nagtratrabaho siya at ‘di siya nakukuntento. Ang FEU ay bubuhos sa kanya,” he added.
Jorick Bautista scored 12 from the bench while Mohamed Konateh tallied a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
The Red Warriors, who fell to an even 1-1 record, were led by the 18 points of Wello Lingolingo.
(C) Filoil
Meanwhile, in an all-Strong Group encounter, Colegio de San Juan de Letran rallied past College of St. Benilde, 80-71.
Jimboy Estrada pumped in 19 points and six rebounds and hit the midrange jumper that capped off the Knights’ 12-2 blast down the stretch to finally notch a mark on the win column after three tries in the tournament co-presented by Bostik El Heneral and ABC Tile Adhesive, and has Smart Sports, Strong Group Athletics, and Hanes as major sponsors.
“Kailangan yung maturity namin during the game, ma-handle namin especially down the wire. Yun yung importante sa ngayong laro and thankful (kami) na-close namin yung game on a winning note,” said interim coach Allen Ricardo, who led the Squires to back-to-back titles before moving up to the seniors division.
Pao Javillonar also contributed 12 points and five rebounds, while Kobe Monje and Deo Cuajo registered 12 and 11 points, respectively.
On the other hand, Allen Liwag had a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds, as Joshua Cajucom scored 13 markers for the debuting Blazers.
Earlier, Mac Guadaña’s hot shooting lifted Lyceum of the Philippines University to a 94-89 breakthrough triumph over San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
The do-it-all guard finished with a stellar 29 points on 60 percent shooting from distance, along with eight assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Gyle Montaño and John Barba also punched in 16 and 13 markers, respectively, for the Pirates who quelled a 22-point late push by the Golden Stags en route to a 1-2 standing.
Rafael Are poured in 19 points on top of two rebounds and two steals in the Golden Stags’ first outing, while Ralph Gabat and Tristan Felebrico added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
In another NCAA matchup, University of Perpetual Help downed undermanned Mapua University, 76-67, on the back of Mark Gojo Cruz’s 15-point performance.
Gojo Cruz also tallied four rebounds and four assists and was backed up by JP Boral, who chipped in 12 markers and two boards in the Altas’ 3-0 start to 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, and KantiGo Sports.
With the absence of NCAA Season 99 MVP Clint Escamis, John Jabonete stepped into the spotlight for the Cardinals (1-1) with 19 points and six rebounds.
The Filoil Preseason is broadcast live on the Filoil EcoOil Sports Facebook page and YouTube channels, as well as on Smart Sports, Puso Pilipinas, and Smart Livestream.
