Kevin Quiambao showed the way for the Green Archers as they rolled past the Knights, 101-79, and kept their undefeated run going in the preseason tournament.

Quiambao delivered 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists off the bench, while Mark Nonoy also came up huge for La Salle with 18 markers built on four long bombs. 

Evan Nelle, meanwhile, hardly looked like he missed a beat in his return from an injury as he filled up the stat sheet with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals in the 22-point drubbing.

On the other side, Kurt Reyson topscored for the Knights yet again with 17 points, while big men Kobe Monje and Paolo Javillonar added 11 and 10, respectively. 

In the curtain-raiser, Arthur Roque put on a show for the Altas as they eked out a thrilling 74-73 escape over the Tamaraws.

Roque erupted for 27 points on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting, along with a perfect 9-of-9 clip from the foul line. 

With the Tamaraws up by 1, 71-70, John Paul Boral and Roque knocked down four consecutive crucial free throws to give the Altas the lead with only 12 seconds remaining.

FEU’s Xyrus Torres and Royce Alforque had two opportunities to tie the ball game and potentially send it into overtime in the following play, but they both failed to connect on their attempts from beyond the arc.

Boral backstopped Roque in the hard-fought win with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks.

For the Tamaraws, Aeron Bagunu led the charge with 14 points, while Torres and Cholo Anonuevo scored 12 each.

La Salle takes on the NU Bulldogs, while Perpetual faces off with the UP Fighting Maroons in the knockout semifinals on Monday, June 19.

The Scores

First Game

Perpetual 74 – Roque 27, Boral 15, Pagaran 9, Razon 8, Abis 5, Nitura 3, Ferreras 3, Nunez 2, Sevilla 2, Barcuma 0, Ramirez 0.

FEU 73 – Bagunu 14, Torres 12, Anonuevo 12, Montemayor 11, Alforque 8, Faty 7, Sleat 7, Pasaol 2, Tempra 0, Ona 0, Felipe 0.

Quarters: 17-25, 39-40, 53-60, 74-73.

Second Game

La Salle 101 – Quiambao 23, Nonoy 18, Nelle 12, Austria 7, Macalalag 6, Manuel 6, Policarpio 6, Phillips M. 6, David 4, Abadam 4, Gollena 4, Nwankwo 2, Cortez 2, Escandor 1.

Letran 79 – Reyson 17, Monje 11, Javillonar 10, Cuajao 9, Tolentino 9, Galoy 7, Santos 6, Bojorcelo 4, Morales 2, Guarino 2, Nunag 2, Bautista 0, Brillantes 0, Go 0.

Quarters: 23-18, 52-45, 74-61, 101-79.

– Rappler.com 

Just two months after securing the transfers of former San Beda standouts Tony Ynot and Justine Sanchez, the Blazers continued their impressive offseason with the commitment of another Red Lion in Gabriel Cometa. 

Coach Charles Tiu, who steered the Blazers to the NCAA finals last season before yielding to champion Letran, confirmed the transfer to Rappler on Wednesday, June 14.

Cometa, a 5-foot-10 guard, will have a remaining two years of playing eligibility beginning Season 100 next year after serving his residency. 

Aside from Ynot and Sanchez – both former Red Cubs who impressed in their roles with the Red Lions last NCAA season – the Blazers also tapped new recruits Allen Liwag and Anton Eusebio the past months.

Cometa, who before coming to Manila played for University of the Visayas, averaged 4.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists a game with the Red Lions in Season 98. He scored in double figures in two of his team’s last four games, providing a glimpse of his potential.

After appearing in 19 games and 270 minutes last NCAA season, Cometa shared that “looking for greener pastures” led him to CSB, where he feels he’ll fit in with the team’s dynamic system.

“I was already able to play and experience the NCAA, so I think it will be easy to adjust to coach Charles’ system,” he said in Filipino.

“My one strength is offense,” the speedy Cometa said of what he can contribute, then added that he also still needs to improve on his defense.

The 22-year-old has also shown his ability to knock down jumpers from both three-point and mid-range.

After falling short of winning an NCAA title last season, the Blazers will contend for a championship again following the return of reigning MVP Will Gozum and the arrival of their new recruits.  – Rappler.com

Harold Alarcon took care of business for the Fighting Maroons – who joined the NU Bulldogs in the Final Four – with a team-high 20 points on 10-of-15 shooting, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.

After a back-and-forth first quarter, where UP only led by 4, 21-17, the Fighting Maroons pulled away late in the second period and took a 43-31 lead over the Pirates at halftime.

UP simply proved too much for LPU the rest of the way as the powerhouse Fighting Maroons even widened the gap further to as many as 26 points, 72-46, early in the final frame.

UAAP Season 84 Finals MVP Malick Diouf racked up a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, while UP’s team captain CJ Cansino also scored in double figures with 10. 

LPU’s main guy Enoch Valdez led his team with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. 

Meanwhile, the Letran Knights and the FEU Tamaraws both punched their tickets to the quarterfinals despite coming up with contrasting results in their play-in games on Thursday.

The Knights fell to the Guang Ming College Flying Dragons in the second game of their play-in matchup, 84-79, but due to a higher aggregate score, Letran still managed to barge into the next round.

Letran defeated Guang Ming College in Game 1, 85-73, on Wednesday.

The Tamaraws, meanwhile, followed up their 96-65 Game 1 thrashing of the Jose Maria College Kings with another double-digit triumph in Game 2, 90-80.

FEU goes up against the Perpetual Help Altas, while Letran collides with the La Salle Green Archers in the quarterfinals on Friday, June 16.

The Scores

First Game

GMC 84 – Ududo 19, Dumalagan 18, Cabilla 13, Jamias 13, Lozada 5, Lactaotao 5, Villegas 4, Pujeda 3, Pecolera 2, Ihebem 2.

Letran 79 – Galoy 23, Javillonar 19, Cuajao 10, Santos 8, Bautista 6, Bojorcelo 4, Fajardo 3, Montecillo 3, Nunag 2, Tolentino 1, Brillantes 0, Guarino 0, Monje 0, Ariar 0, Go 0, Casia 0.

Quarters: 16-23, 45-37, 71-52, 84-79.

Second Game

FEU 90 – Torres 19, Faty 16, Anonuevo 14, Sleat 12, Pasaol 7, Montemayor 7, Bagunu 6, Tempra 5, Alforque 2, Guibao 2, Macapagal 0, Songcuya 0, Ona 0, Felipe 0.

JMC 80 – Catarong 24, Poyos 13, Quiamco 11, Mendiola 9, Gaslang 8, Morado 5, Montaña 4, Gementiza 2, Torejas 2, Olivar 2, Thompson 0, Bularon 0, Yorac 0.

Quarters: 17-21, 38-37, 65-54, 90-80.

Third Game

UP 86 – Alarcon 20, Diouf 15, Cansino 10, Belmonte 8, Lopez 7, Cagulangan 7, Gagate 5, Briones 5, Abadiano 4, Torculas 4, Felicilda 1, Torres 0, Pablo 0.

LPU 66 – Valdez 12, Barba 10, Omandac 8, Cunanan 8, Guadaña 8, Montaño 5, Peñafiel 5, Aviles 4, Villegas 2, Fuentes 2, Umali 2, Moralejo 0, Versoza 0.

Quarters: 21-17, 43-31, 70-46, 86-66.

– Rappler.com

Rising star forward Jake Figueroa was the star of the show with 16 points off the bench, 8 coming from his game-tying triple at the end of regulation and the rest of overtime, to go with 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

Steve Nash Enriquez led scorers with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting and a perfect 4-of-4 from three, while big man Omar John added 16 points, 7 boards, and 3 blocks.

Felipe Marasigan led CSB’s sorry loss with 12 points, while Migs Oczon scored 11 with 5 assists and 4 rebounds.

Meanwhile, the Letran Knights took Game 1 of their best-of-three play-in series against the debuting Guang Ming College Flying Dragons, 85-73, thanks to Kurt Reyson’s stat sheet-stuffing 19-point, 7-rebound, 6-assist, 3-steal line.

Kobe Monje added 18 points in the win against the Luzon qualifier champions from Malate, Manila, while Kevin Santos delivered a big man masterpiece off 13 points, 7 boards, and 6 blocks off the bench.

Foreign student-athlete Dikachi Ududo showed off in the loss with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 rejection as Joshua Jamias added 13 points.

Lastly, the FEU Tamaraws pummeled VisMin top team Jose Maria College Kings, 96-65, off a balanced attack topped by gunner Xyrus Torres’ 20 points in just a 15-minute spurt.

Royce Alforque backstopped his backcourtmate with 14 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds in just 20 minutes, while Chiolo Anonuevo only needed 16 minutes to scatter 6 points, 8 boards, 5 dimes, 2 steals, and a block.

Christer Catarong paced the Davao-based ballers in the loss with 17 points and 9 rebounds as Arvie Jay Poyos tallied 15 points, 8 assists, and 5 boards. – Rappler.com

The Altas emerged triumphant against the Letran Knights, 81-68, to secure the top spot in Group 1 with a 7-2 record. 

Arthur Roque powered the Altas to the victory with a near double-double of 19 points and 9 rebounds, while Jielo Razon also scored 19.

The Altas spoiled the high-scoring performance of Kurt Reyson, who dropped 24 points for the Knights in the losing cause. 

Letran – which closed out the eliminations at fourth with a 6-3 slate – fell to the play-in games and will collide with the Guang Ming College for a slot in the quarterfinals.

The Blue Eagles, meanwhile, defeated the St. Clare Saints, 57-52, on the final day of the elimination round. 

Despite failing to secure a ticket to the quarterfinals or a spot in the play-in games after going 0-5 in their first five assignments, the Blue Eagles still managed to end the tournament on a high note with four consecutive wins. 

After banking on the twin towers of Kai Ballungay and Joseph Obasa in their past two outings, it was Sean Quitevis who stepped up for the Blue Eagles this time with a team-high 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting from long distance.

Ballungay added 9 points, while Josh Lazaro and Obasa had 8 and 7, respectively, for the defending UAAP champion Ateneo, which played its third straight game in as many days.

Ahron Estacio was the lone double-digit scorer for the also-ran Saints, which finished with a 4-5 slate – same as the Blue Eagles.

In a matchup between two UAAP schools, the NU Bulldogs edged the FEU Tamaraws, 73-67.

Jake Figueroa and Steve Nash Enriquez produced 11 points each to lead the Bulldogs in the comeback win that saw them rise back from an 18-point second-quarter deficit. 

Mouhamed Faty and Rojen Montemayor, meanwhile, paced the Tamaraws in the loss with 14 points apiece.

NU, which is already assured of a seat in the quarterfinals, ended the elimination round at the third spot with a 7-2 record in Group 2.

FEU wound up at No. 4 with a 5-4 slate in the same group and will go up against the Jose Maria College in the play-in games.

Finally, the JRU Heavy Bombers (4-5) made quick work of the winless Arellano Chiefs (0-9) in a battle of two eliminated teams, 78-65.

Theo Pabico led the Heavy Bombers with 14 points, while Agem Miranda tallied 12 markers and 8 boards.

Jade Talampas topscored for the Chiefs with 17 points.

The Scores

First Game

Perpetual 81 – Roque 19, Razon 19, Pagaran 15, Abis 12, Ramirez 3, Boral 3, Ferreras 3, Nitura 2, Barcuma 2, Cuevas 2, Sevilla 1, Nunez 0, Orgo 0, Gelsano 0.

Letran 68 – Reyson 24, Santos 12, Cuajao 10, Go 10, Alarcon 4, Tolentino 3, Fajardo 3, Javillonar 2, Ariar 0, Miclat 0, Bautista 0, Bojorcelo 0, Guarino 0, Nunag 0, Morales 0.

Quarters: 17-20, 36-39, 60-53, 81-68.

Second Game

NU 73 – Figueroa 11, Enriquez 11, Palacielo 8, Malonzo 7, Manansala 7, Yu 7, Baclaan 6, John 6, Lim 6, Diassana 4, Casinillo 0, Gulapa 0, Parks 0.

FEU 67 – Faty 14, Montemayor 14, Bagunu 9, Anonuevo 7, Alforque 7, Felipe 4, Pasaol 4, Macapagal 2, Songcuya 2, Sleat 2, Ona 2, Guibao 0.

Quarters: 19-32, 39-44, 56-50, 73-67.

Third Game

JRU 78 – Pabico 14, Miranda 12, Ramos 11, Argente 10, De Leon 9, Guiab 8, Dioniso 4, Dela Rosa 3, Mosqueda 2, Arenal 2, Medina 2, Sy 1, Delos Santos 0, Sarmiento 0.

Arellano 65 – Talampas 17, Mallari 15, Valencia 7, Villarente 7, Oftana 6, Bagay 5, Dela Cruz 4, Abastillas 2, Antonio 2, Lustina 0, Domingo 0, Camay 0, Anama 0, Rosalin 0.

Quarters: 22-18, 42-33, 60-46, 78-65.

Fourth Game

Ateneo 57 – Quitevis 13, Ballungay 9, Lazaro 8, Obasa 7, Credo 4, Gomez 4, Padrigao 4, Chiu 3, Nieto 3, Tuano 2, Ong 0, Espinosa 0.

St. Clare 52 – Estacio 12, Galang 9, Estrada 9, Angeles 7, Tapenio 6, Ndong 4, Sual 3, Kane 2, Acosta 0, Yanes 0, Cabauatan 0, Decano 0.

Quarters: 20-10, 31-23, 43-33, 57-52.

– Rappler.com 

In a battle of two UAAP teams, the Fighting Maroons handed the UE Red Warriors a 22-point beatdown, 103-81, to notch their fourth straight win for a second-best 7-2 record in Group II.

Harold Alarcon led UP’s balanced charge with 17 points, while Francis Lopez poured in 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

CJ Cansino scored 14 points built on four long bombs, while Sean Alter and Reyland Torres added 11 markers apiece. 

After trailing by a point, 68-69, just 45 seconds into the fourth quarter, the Fighting Maroons suddenly shifted into high gear and went on a blazing 17-2 tear to lead by 14, 85-71, with 4:19 remaining.

Cansino knocked down two of his four three-pointers during that decisive run, while Alarcon, Lopez, and Alter combined for 11 points.

With UE still knocking on UP’s doors with under three minutes to play, 81-92, JD Cagulangan sank a cold-blooded triple to put the Fighting Maroons’ lead back to 14, 95-81, and crush any hopes of a Red Warriors comeback.

UP overcame a gutsy performance by UE’s high-scoring guard Noy Remogat, who sizzled for 30 points on 5-of-11 clip from long distance, along with 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals.

Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles pushed their winning streak to three games with a 92-53 annihilation of the winless FAITH Bravehearts.

Big men Kai Ballungay and Joseph Obasa, who showed the way for the Blue Eagles in their 73-56 rout of the Red Warriors just a day earlier, picked up where they left off and propelled Ateneo once again to the double-digit triumph.

Ballungay connected on 10 of his 13 attempts to wind up with a game-high 22 points, while Obasa flirted with a double-double of 13 points and 9 rebounds.

Lebron Nieto and Ian Espinosa, meanwhile, tallied identical stat lines of 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists for the Blue Eagles, who improved to 3-5 but had bowed out of contention after a 0-5 start to the tournament. 

Adam Eric Fernado and Lloyd Aldrin Dimawala paced the Bravehearts with 11 markers each.

Finally, the San Sebastian Golden Stags took down the Arellano Chiefs for their second straight victory, 85-78.

Alex Desoyo dropped 21 points for San Sebastian, while Raymart Escobido contributed 15. 

On the other side, Jade Talampas paced Arellano with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds.

The Scores

First Game

San Sebastian 85 – Desoyo 21, Escobido 15, Gabat 12, Felebrico 9, Suico 7, Aguilar 6, Castor 4, Shanoda 2, Barroga 2, Concha 2, Velasco 2, Paglinawan 0, Pascual 0.

Arellano 78 – Talampas 20, Sunga 14, Camay 13, Bagay 8, Abastillas 7, Valencia 3, Rosalin 2, Dela Cruz 1, Domingo 0, Villarente 0, Anama 0, Antonio 9, Oftana 0.

Quarters: 20-16, 41-37, 65-56, 85-78.

Second Game

Ateneo 92 – Ballungay 22, Obasa 13, Nieto 11, Espinosa 11, Tuano 8, Chiu 8, Lazaro 6, Quitevis 5, Ong 5, Credo 3, Gomez 0, Padrigao 0.

FAITH 53 – Fernado 11, Dimawala 11, Tan 10, Torrato 7, Narvaez 5, De Castro 3, Llmado 2, Amparo 2, Millares 2.

Quarters: 24-13, 42-21, 67-34, 92-53.

Third Game

UP 103 – Alarcon 17, Lopez 15, Cansino 14, Alter 11, Torres 11, Cagulangan 9, Briones 9, Pablo 4, Felicilda 4, Belmonte 4, Gagate 3, Abadiano 2.

UE 81 – Remogat 30, Jackson 18, Dumont-Cruz J. 11, Gilbuena 9, Rosete 4, Lingo-Lingo 3, Langit 2, Maga 2, Robles 2, Maxie 0, Maglupay 0, Tomas 0, Galang 0, Palaroan 0. 

Quarters: 19-18, 47-40, 68-66, 103-81.

– Rappler.com

Kai Ballungay topscored for Ateneo with 15 points on an efficient 6-of-8 clip from the field, while his fellow big man Joseph Obasa delivered a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Josh Lazaro added 9 points, while Sean Quitevis had an all-around performance of 6 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals for the already eliminated Blue Eagles. 

Coming off a tight first half, where UE only trailed by a single possession, 35-37, Ateneo flipped the switch in the third quarter and outscored the Red Warriors, 24-7, for a comfortable 61-42 cushion.

The Blue Eagles continued to pounce on the Red Warriors in the final frame, even stretching their lead to as many as 22 points, 71-49, with 3:46 left to play.

“We’re happy with the win. There’s nothing magical about adjustments at halftime,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin. “When your team doesn’t do things in the first half, that stuff impacts the game. We just came out in the third quarter and rebounded the ball better.”

Noy Remogat once again led UE in the scoring department with 13 points, while Abdul Sawat chipped in 10.

The loss also put the Red Warriors out of playoff contention at 3-5.

Like Ateneo, the Adamson Soaring Falcons breezed past the FAITH Colleges Bravehearts for their second straight win, 108-63.

Five players scored in double figures for Adamson, with Didat Hanapi pouring in a team-high 12 points.

Cedrick Manzano and Matthew Montebon had 11 points each, while Ray Allen Torres and John Arthur Calisay contributed 10 apiece for the Soaring Falcons, who improved to 5-4. 

Adam Eric Fernado paced the winless Bravehearts with 15 points.

EAC, JRU hold off separate NCAA foes

In the curtain-raiser, the EAC Generals emerged victorious against the Perpetual Help Altas, 79-71.

John Paul Maguilano stuffed the stat sheet with 22 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks to propel the also-ran EAC to the victory.

Jaerico Nunez and Arthur Roque, meanwhile, came up with 12 points apiece for Perpetual.

Finally, the JRU Heavy Bombers took advantage of the undermanned San Beda Red Lions to extend their winning streak to three games, 80-72, for a 4-4 slate.

Shawn Argente showed the way for JRU with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while Ry dela Rosa and Patrick Ramos put up 14 and 10 markers, respectively.

The Heavy Bombers survived a sensational outing by Bryan Sajonia, who exploded for 24 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks for the eliminated San Beda, which only had 7 players in its lineup.

The Scores

First Game

EAC 79 – Maguilano 22, Cosa 14, Luciano 14, Robin 14, Ednilag 9, Cosejo 9, Gurtiza 4, Bacud 1, Balowa 0, Dominguez 0, Umpad 0, Ochavo 0.

Perpetual 71 – Nunez 14, Roque 14, Ferreras 10, Nitura 9, Pagaran 8, Cuevas 5, Razon 4, Ramirez 3, Boral 3, Orgo 1, Sevilla 0, Barcuma 0, Gelsano 0, Cauguiran 0.

Quarters: 22-22, 47-40, 65-53, 79-71.

Second Game

Adamson 108 – Hanapi 12, Manzano 11, Montebon 11, Torres 10, Calisay 10, Anabo 9, Ramos 8, Sicat 8, Cañete 7, Ignacio 6, Erolon 6, Colonia 4, Fuentebella 4, Barasi 2, Magbuhos 0.

FAITH 63 – Fernado 15, Dimawala 13, Narvaez 13, Villamor 9, Amparo 5, Laylo 3, Millares 3, Llamado 2, De Castro 0, Manipol 0.

Quarters: 23-21, 51-36, 80-51, 108-63.

Third Game

JRU 80 – Argente 18, Dela Rosa 14, Ramos 10, De Leon 8, Guiab 6, Medina 6, Mosqueda 4, Pabico 4, Sy 3, Arenal 3, Sarmiento 2, Bongay 2, Barrera 0, De Jesus 0, Raymundo 0.

San Beda 72 – Sajonia 24, Etulle 16, Alloso 15, Tagala 11, Jalbuena 6, Teruel 0, Dimaculangan 0.

Quarters: 18-17, 40-34, 65-53, 80-72.

Fourth Game

Ateneo 73 – Ballungay 15, Obasa 14, Lazaro 9, Quitevis 6, Gomez 6, Credo 5, Tuano 5, Nieto 4, Espinosa 3, Padrigao 3, Chiu 2, Ong 1.

UE 56 – Remogat 13, Sawat 10, Alcantara 8, Rosete 8, Lingo-Lingo 6, Dumont-Cruz J. 5, Gilbuena 3, Galang 3, Langit 0, Maxie 0, Maglupay 0, Tomas 0, Maga 0, Robles 0, Dumont-Cruz H. 0. 

Quarters: 17-15, 37-35, 61-42, 73-56.

– Rappler.com

Guard Reyland Torres spearheaded the nine-man rotation’s efforts with 16 points off the bench on 7-of-12 shooting, while debuting big man Sean Alter impressed with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting with 7 rebounds in just 18 minutes.

Alter, who just arrived to the Philippines four days ago, was immediately thrust to heavy action for the 6-2 Maroons, who fought on to clinch a quarterfinals berth without the likes of Malick Diouf, CJ Cansino, and Francis Lopez.

“I’m still adjusting, but I feel like I’ve really hit the ground running,” said Alter, the 6-foot-8 prized Fil-Am recruit.

Megan Galang paced St. Clare’s descent to a 4-4 record with 14 points as anchor Babacar Ndong tallied 8 points and 13 boards.

Meanwhile, the also-ran JRU Heavy Bombers fired on all cylinders to eliminate the Mapua Cardinals in a high-scoring affair, 93-84.

Joshua Guiab sparked the bench mob with a game-high 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting to go with 9 rebounds and 3 assists as JRU rose to a 3-4 slate. Mapua, on the other hand, sunk to 5-4.

Four other Heavy Bombers breached double-digit scoring, led by 15 points from Shawn Argente.

College veterans Adrian Nocum and Clint Escamis led the losing effort with 19 and 18 points, respectively.

Finally, the San Sebastian Stags escaped with a 68-66 win over the EAC Generals in a battle of eliminated teams.

Reggz Gabat led four Baste players in double figures with 17 points as Rommel Calahat stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, 12 boards, 5 assists, 4 blocks, and a steal for the 3-5 Stags.

JP Maguilano and Ralph Robin each scored 15 as EAC slipped to a 2-6 record. – Rappler.com

Xyrus Torres led the charge for the Tamaraws with 14 points built on four treys, while Cholo Anonuevo came up with 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.

After a tight first quarter where FEU only led by a single point, 16-15, the Tamaraws turned on the jets in the second period and created a 10-point separation over the Blue Eagles, 30-20, off two free throws by Anonuevo with 2:14 to play in the first half.

The undermanned Blue Eagles, who played without key players Forthsky Padrigao and Mason Amos, came out firing from the halftime break and opened the third salvo with a 12-0 run for a 35-30 cushion, before the Tamaraws managed to regain the lead heading into the payoff period, 45-42.

It was all FEU from that point on as Ateneo had no answers for Torres, who took over and uncorked three of his four long bombs in the fourth quarter alone.

Kai Ballungay was the only player to reach double-digit scoring for the Blue Eagles with 13 points, to go along with 9 rebounds.

Letran, NU post contrasting wins

In the opening game of the day, the Letran Knights hacked out a thrilling 68-66 escape against the EAC Generals. 

With the game tied at 66-all with only 4.9 seconds remaining, Letran’s Kevin Santos delivered the game-winning putback layup off a miss by Kurt Reyson to beat the buzzer. 

Paolo Javillonar powered the Knights with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Nicko Fajardo and Reyson added 13 and 12 points, respectively. 

Prior to hitting the game-winner, Santos was 0-of-5 from the field and finished with only 2 points and 6 rebounds. 

Nat Cosejo paced the Generals with 22 points, while Jan Carl Luciano tallied 10 markers and 8 boards. 

Unlike the Knights, the NU Bulldogs hardly broke a sweat and made quick work of the CEU Scorpions in the second game, 105-60.

Kean Baclaan and John Lloyd Clemente dropped 16 points each for the Bulldogs in the 45-point thrashing, while Kenshin Padrones contributed 10. 

The Bulldogs shot an efficient 39-of-74 clip from the field, including 25-of-41 from two-point area, while holding the Scorpions to a lowly 22-of-63 shooting. 

Mark Anthony Anagbogu was the lone bright spot for the Scorpions with 16 markers. 

Finally, the LPU Pirates banked on a well-balanced attack to take down the San Beda Red Lions in the third affair, 87-79.

Four players scored in double figures for the Pirates, who even led the Red Lions by as many as 18 points at one juncture of the ball game. 

John Barba put up 22 points, Enoch Valdez had 15, while Gyle Patrick Montaño and Jearolan Omandac chipped in 13 and 10, respectively. 

Bryan Sajonia topscored for the Red Lions in the losing effort with 19.

The Scores 

First Game 

Letran 68 – Javillonar 15, Fajardo 13, Reyson 12, Cuajao 10, Bojorcelo 4, Go 4, Tolentino 2, Ariar 2, Alarcon 2, Santos 2, Morales 2, Nunag 0.

EAC 66 – Cosejo 22, Luciano 10, Maguilano 9, Robin 7, Gurtiza 5, Cosa 5, Balowa 4, Ochavo 3, Angeles 1, Dominguez 0, Bacud 0, Umpad 0.

Quarters: 15-17, 25-34, 41-49, 68-66. 

Second Game

NU 105 – Baclaan 16, Clemente 16, Padrones 10, Figueroa 9, Gulapa 9, Enriquez 9, Malonzo 9, Manansala 8, Abiera 6, Palacielo 4, Lim 3, Yu 3, John 2, Parks 1.

CEU 60 – Anagbogu 16, Ferrer 7, Santos 6, Tolentino 6, Puray 5, Javier 4, Reyes 4, Balogun 4, Malicana 4, Cabotaje 2, Peñano 2, Diaz 0, Dela Cruz 0, Bernabe 0, Borromeo 0.

Quarters: 26-17, 48-30, 77-43, 105-60. 

Third Game

LPU 87 – Barba 22, Valdez 15, Montaño 13, Omandac 10, Cunanan 9, Aviles 6, Alattica 5, Umali 4, Villegas 2, Peñafiel 1, Caduyac 0, Garro 0, Versoza 0.

San Beda 79 – Sajonia 19, Payosing 12, Tagle 10, Andrada 9, Cortez 8, Visser 6, Dimaculangan 5, Etulle 4, Royo 3, Puno 3, Tagala 0, Teruel 0. 

Quarters: 22-13, 36-34, 71-58, 87-79.

Fourth Game

FEU 60 – Torres 14, Anonuevo 12, Montemayor 8, Sleat 7, Pasaol 6, Ona 6, Bagunu 4, Songcuya 3, Macapagal 0, Faty 0, Buenaventura 0.

Ateneo 54 – Ballungay 13, Obasa 8, Credo 6, Bongo 6, Quitevis 5, Espinosa 5, Lazaro 4, Chiu 4, Nieto 3, Garcia 0, Brown 0.

Quarters: 16-15, 30-23, 45-42, 60-54.

– Rappler.com 

The Green Archers outlasted the Saints, 83-74, to complete a 9-0 sweep of the group phase of the 2023 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Wednesday, May 31, in San Juan. 

Mark Nonoy led La Salle with 22 points as Jonnel Policarpio also came through the clutch, scoring 5 of his 9 points in a pivotal run in the closing minutes.

With the game still tied at 62 in the final quarter, the Green Archers uncorked 8 unanswered points for a 70-62 lead with under six minutes to go.

But the Saints threatened again, trimming their deficit to just a bucket, 72-74, with 2:34 remaining before Policarpio fired 5 straight points in La Salle’s 9-2 finishing kick.

“They made the right stops in the end. St. Clare gave us a good fight, but thankfully, they played together in the end,” said La Salle coach Topex Robinson, who got ejected at the 3:11 mark of the third period after getting slapped with a second technical foul.

Kevin Quiambao added 17 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds for the Archers, who pushed the Saints down to third at 4-2 in Group II. 

“For us, we always try to be the best version of ourselves. Winning is gonna be the byproduct of what we’re doing,” said Robinson as the Archers now await the start of the next round on June 16.

Megan Galang paced St. Clare with 17 points, 15 coming from beyond the arc. 

FEU spoils Lastimosa return

Far Eastern University spoiled Jerom Lastimosa’s return to Adamson in the preseason tournament with a 77-63 victory.

Cholo Anonuevo showed the way with an all-around game of 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals for FEU. 

Janrey Pasaol also delivered 16 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 rebounds in the Tamaraws’ charge to a 3-3 standing in Group II.

“We’ve been struggling for several games, so we discussed how we should all be accountable,” said FEU coach Denok Miranda.

Lastimosa, playing for the Falcons for the first time since winning a gold medal with Gilas Pilipinas in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, finished with a team-high 12 points. 

The Adamson star towed his squad to a 22-18 lead midway through the second quarter before Anonuevo scored 4 points in a 12-1 run that pushed FEU ahead, 30-23, before halftime.

It was Anonuevo who again answered the call when Adamson last threatened at 47-50 late in the third quarter, with his trey igniting an 8-0 rush that reestablished a 58-47 Tamaraw advantage. 

That double-digit margin would stand strong en route to the Tamaraws’ third win in the last four games, while the Falcons slipped to 3-4. 

Lyceum, San Beda up

Lyceum kept pace in the Group I quarterfinal race after routing Emilio Aguinaldo College by 34 points, 102-78.

Red-hot Jae Omandac fired 31 points built on nine triples on top of 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals to power the Pirates to their fourth consecutive victory and fifth overall in seven games. 

Enoch Valdez  contributed 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals as the Pirates kept a share of the second spot at 5-2.

San Beda, meanwhile, piled onto the misery of winless Arellano University, 78-65.

Bryan Sajonia posted 17 points and 6 rebounds, Richi Calimag added 14 points as the Red Lions roared back into the win column at 3-4.

The 2-4 EAC had 11 points from Brianne Angeles, while the 0-7 Arellano got 14 points and 6 rebounds from Jade Talampas.

The scores

First Game

Lyceum 102 – Omandac 31, Valdez 11, Villegas 11, Barba 11, Penafiel 9, Montano 8, Cunanan 7, Umali 6, Moralejo 4, Versoza 2, Aviles 2, Caduyac 0, Garro 0, Daileg 0.

EAC 78 – Angeles 11, Gurtiza 10, Maguliano 10, Cosejo 9, Cosa 8, Luciano 5, Robin 5, Balowa 5, Ochavo 4, Villaflor 4, Tolentino 3, Dominguez 2, Umpad 2, Doria 0, Ednilag 0.

Quarters: 20-16, 53-42, 87-56, 102-78.

Second Game

FEU 77 – Anonuevo 21, Pasaol 16, Felipe 10, Sleat 7, Bagunu 6, Faty 4, Torres 4, Macapagal 4, Ona 4, Buenaventura 1, Montemayor 0, Songcuya 0.

Adamson 63 – Lastimosa 12, Manzano 10, Barasi 6, Ramos 6, Erolon 6, Montebon 5, Hanapi 5, Colonia 4, Magbuhos 3, Canete 3, Calisay 2, Ignacio 1, Fuentebella 0, Anabo 0 Sicat 0.

Quarters: 12-15, 36-34, 58-51, 77-63.

Third Game

San Beda 78 – Sajonia 17, Calimag 14, Payosing 11, Royo 11, Alloso 7, Tagle 6, Etulle 6, Tagala 4, Visser 2, Teruel 0, Dimaculangan 0.

Arellano 65 – Talampas 14, Valencia 11, Bagay 9, Abastillas 8, Sunga 8, Mallari 4, Villarente 4, Oftana 3, Camay 2, Rosalin 2, Domingo 0, Anama 0, Dela Cruz 0.

Quarters: 18-18, 40-34, 52-51, 78-65.

Fourth Game

La Salle 83 – Nonoy 22, Quiambao 17, David 9, Policarpio 9, M Phillips 7, Abadam 6, Cortez 4, Escandor 2, Gollena 2, Nwankwo 2, Manuel 2, Austria 1, Estacio 0, B Phillips 0.

St. Clare 74 – Galang 17,  Sual 13, Acosta 12, Estacio 10, Kane 10, Ndong 7, Tapenio 3, Victoriano 2, Decano 0, Angeles 0.

Quarters: 18-20, 40-38, 57-57, 83-74.

– Rappler.com