MANILA, Philippines – Holding off a fiery late run, the UP Combating Maroons jolted the rejigged UST Growling Tigers to stay unbeaten within the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, 76-73, on Monday, Could 20, on the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
UP veteran Gerry Abadiano hit essential free throws because the Maroons overcame a fiery UST comeback sparked Tigers newcomer Forthsky Padrigao to enhance to 2-0.
The Maroons have been up 72-61 earlier than Padrigao transformed a pair of three-pointers and a layup for 8 factors in a 12-2 rally that reduce the Tigers’ deficit to some extent, 73-74, with below a minute remaining.
However Abadiano got here by means of for UP and sank two foul photographs to make it a three-point lead earlier than UST botched its ultimate play.
“Proper now, what’s vital is that we responded on the finish,” mentioned UP head coach Gold Monteverde.
“Having these sorts of challenges will certainly make us higher,” Monteverde added because the Combating Maroons beat reigning UAAP champions La Salle of their event opener.
For Abadiano, who is predicted to tackle extra offensive duties after the departure of CJ Cansino and Malick Diouf, the win mirrored UP’s character in pressure-packed conditions.
“I simply stayed in the meanwhile. We actually targeted on our execution and protection since we wish to decrease errors as a lot as doable,” mentioned Abadiano in Filipino.
JD Cagulangan led the Maroons with 18 factors, whereas Abadiano added 13 markers in 18 minutes of play.
Francis Lopez and Harold Alarcon additionally contributed 12 and 11 factors, respectively, because the Maroons stored the Tigers winless within the Preseason Cup.
Padrigao scored 13 on 5-of-13 taking pictures from the sphere, in his first recreation versus UP since successful the UAAP Season 85 title with the Ateneo towards the identical group.
“I’m glad to face him once more. Understanding Forthsky, he’s actually a sensible participant. He tries to regulate at any state of affairs in entrance of him. So, [facing him] is at all times a problem,” mentioned Abadiano, whose historical past with Padrigao goes again to once they have been nonetheless enjoying in highschool.
Leland Estacio put up 16 markers to steer the cost for the Growling Tigers, whereas Mo Tounkara and Nic Cabanero chipped in 13 and 12 factors, respectively.
Earlier, the new-look EAC Generals pulled an upset towards the NCAA champions San Beda Purple Lions, earlier than the Arellano Chiefs outlasted the San Sebastian Golden Stags, 105-95.
The School of Saint Benilde Blazers additionally took down the shorthanded Mapua Cardinals, 72-59, to wrap up the NCAA aspect of the competitors.
Within the different conflict between UAAP faculties, the UE Purple Warriors leaned on a 27-points, 19-rebound outing by Treasured Momowei to nail a 72-64 victory over the NU Bulldogs.
The Scores
First recreation:
EAC 76 – Quinal 15, Doromal 13, Gurtiza 11, Oftana 9, Pagsanjan 7, Lucero 7, Angeles 5, Bacud 5, Umpad 2, Bagay 2, Luciano 0, Ochavo 0, Loristo 0, Ednilag 0, Bacud 0, Doria 0.
San Beda 67 – Calimag 11, Bonzalida 9, Calimag 8, Estacio 7, Gonzales 5, Sajonia 4, Mongcuya 4, Hawkins 4, Jalbuena 3, Tagle 3, Tagala 3, Royo 3, Torres 2, Celzo 1, Alloso 0.
Quarters: 15-16, 29-39, 48-56, 76-67.
Second recreation:
Arellano 105 – Valencia 30, Abiera 18, Libang 9, Ongotan 7, Vinoya 7, Hernal 7, Geronimo 6, Dayrit 6, Capulong 5, Espiritu 4, Miller 2, Acop 2, Borromeo 2, Dela Cruz 0, Baraca 0.
San Sebastian 95 – Gabat 23, Escobido 12, Aguilar 12, Felebrico 10, Ricio 9, Velasco 8, Maliway 5, Pascual 5, Gabat 4, Suico 3, Ronquillo 3, Barroga 1, Valina 0, Lintol 0.
Quarters: 31-25, 61-46, 84-65, 105-95.
Third recreation:
CSB 72 – Morales 11, Ancheta 10, Liwag 9, Torres 7, Sangco 5, Carillo 5, Jalalon 5, Eusebio 4, Ondoa 4, Ynot 3, Turco 3, Oli 2, Garas 2, Serrano 2, Cajucom 0.
Mapua 59 – Cuenco 11, Hubilla 11, Jaboneta 10, Bancale 10, Recto 6, Concepcion 5, Igliane 3, Fermin 2, Abdulla 1, Mangubay 0, Agemenyi 0, Ryan 0.
Quarters: 15-9, 37-21, 52-40, 72-59.
Fourth recreation:
UE 72 – Momowei 27, Lingolingo 12, Abate 10, Mulingtapang 7, Maga 7, Robles 4, Spandonis 3, Cruz-Demont 1, Galang 1, Go 0, Malaga 0.
NU 64 – Palacielo 14, Manansala 12, Jumamoy 6, Figueroa 5, Garcia 5, Tulabut 5, Santiago 4, Yu 3, John 2, Reyes 2, Dela Curz 2, Francisco 0, Lim 0.
Quarters: 14-19, 33-32, 57-51, 72-64.
Fifth recreation:
UP 76 – Cagulangan 18, Abadiano 13, Lopez 12, Alarcon 11, Briones 6, Udodo 5, Stevens 4, Torres 2, Torculas 2. Alter 2, Felicilda 1, Walker 0, Belmonte 0.
UST 73 – Estacio 16, Padrigao 13, Tounkara 13, Cabanero 12, Manaytay 7, Paranada 5, Daunting 3, Crisostomo 2, Laure 2, Andrews 0, Pangilinan 0.
Quarters: 21-16, 34-33, 57-48, 76-73.
– Rappler.com
