The University of Santo Tomas (UST) banked on a strong start and uncorked an even finer finish to hand University of the Philippines (UP) a 90-81 beating in the PlayTime Cares 18th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Monday, June 9, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Growling Tigers opened the game with 16 unanswered points, then weathered the Fighting Maroons’ rally in the middle period to secure the wire-to-wire victory.
Gelo Crisostomo continued to impress with 24 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists, as skipper Nic Cabañero drilled 13 markers in UST’s return to form.
Crisostomo dropped 13 in the black-and-gold’s strong start before the Fighting Maroons lived up to their name and battled back to just down five, 62-67, early in the final frame.
It was at that point, however, that Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao combined for 14 points to quell the State U uprising once and for all.
“Of course, it’s a big deal for us, kasi syempre, defending champion [sila]. We’re just happy with the result, and we’re happy na nandito na si captain Cabañero,” said assistant coach Japs Cuan, speaking on behalf of shot-caller Pido Jarencio.
For UP, Nigerian center Francis Nnoruka fronted the attack with a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Reyland Torres chipped in 12 markers of his own.
Already missing injured Gerry Abadiano and Rey Remogat, the Fighting Maroons also lost Harold Alarcon to ejection with 47 ticks to go.
They suffered their second straight setback to fall to 2-2.
Over the NCAA bracket, Letran barged back into the winners’ circle, as Lyceum finally earned a breakthrough win in three tries.
The Knights weathered Emilio Aguinaldo College’s second-half storm, 81-72, behind Jimboy Estrada’s 17 points.
Jun Roque also added 15 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals, as 3-1 Letran stayed at solo second, while also putting the first blemish on the 2-1 Generals’ record.
For their part, Gyle Montano shot the Pirates over San Sebastian, 84-70, with 17 points built on three triples.
JM Bravo then chimed in with 12 points and nine rebounds, as Lyceum kept the Golden Stags (0-4) locked out of the win column. (ABS-CBN News)