By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons erased a 20-point deficit to defeat the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, 69-66, in the FilOil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup finals at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City on Wednesday night, June 12.

Down 23-43 at the half, the Fighting Maroons leaned a huge third-quarter rampage behind Francis Lopez, Negrense Harold Alarcon, JD Cagulangan, and Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano to cut the deficit to 50-53.

The Fighting Maroons continued their uprising in the fourth quarter, as they tied the score at 58-all before taking the lead at 63-58 on conversions from Kingsley Udodo and Lopez.

The Green Archers countered with a run to take the lead at 65-64 on a Kevin Quiambao triple, but the Fighting Maroons answered with connections from Udodo and Cagulangan for a 68-65 upperhand.

Split free throws from Green Archers’ Lian Ramiro and Fighting Maroons’ Lopez made it a 69-66 UP advantage before Quiambao was forced into a long-range miss at the buzzer.

Cagulangan led the way with 13 points, while Abadiano contributed 12 markers for the Fighting Maroons, which claimed their second straight FilOil title at the expense of the Green Archers.

Quiambao, who was named as the tournament Most Valuable Player, led the way for the Green Archers with 14 points, while Cyrus Austria contributed 14 markers in the defeat.

Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws claimed the bronze medal with an 80-78 win over the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights.

Jorick Bautista led the Tamaraws with 21 points./ASC, WDJ

UP 69 — Cagulangan 13, Abadiano 12, Alarcon 9, Ududo 9, Lopez 8, Torres 7, Torculas 7, Felicilda 2, Alter 2, Stevens 0, Walker 0, Bayla 0, Briones 0, Belmonte 0, Tan 0.

DLSU 66 — Quiambao 14, Austria 14, Ramiro 7, Agunanne 7, Gollena 7, Dungo 6, Policarpio 4, Macalalag 3, Marasigan 2, Cortez 2, Zamora 0, Buenaventura 0, Gaspay 0, Abadam 0, Rubico 0, Alian 0.

Quarterscores: 17-14, 23-43, 48-53, 69-66.