By REYNALD MAGALLON
Reigning UAAP champion University of the Philippines lived up to its lofty billing and clobbered Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas, 102-73, for a rousing start in the PG Flex Linoleum UCBL Pre-Season tournament Tuesday at the SGS Gym in Quezon City.
The Fighting Maroons just stamped its class all over the Dolphins as six players on the UP side scored in double figures led by Bismarck Lina who finished with 19 points, eight rebounds.
Gerry Abadiano and Mark Gil Belmonte chipped in 13 each while Harold Alarcon also made his presence felt, scattering 11 points apart from posting four rebounds and one assist for the Diliman-based squad who hardly felt the absence of Carl Tamayo due to his commitment to Gilas Pilipinas.
While UP’s win was a breeze, the University of Perpetual Help and Olivarez College went through the eye of the needle before beating their respective rivals in similar Group A matches.
The Altas emerged victorious in their showdown against NCAA rival Lyceum Pirates, 88-87 behind the heroics of Christian Pagaran who nailed the go-ahead basket in the final two seconds to preserve their unblemished record through two games. Pagaran finished with 11 points and six rebounds.
Ace Lavarias also did the same for the Sea Lions as he came through in crunch time to help Olivarez pull-off a stunning 73-72 victory over Far Eastern University Tamaraws.
John Escalante topscored for the Sea Lions with 20 points while Lavarias’ game-winner was his lone basket in the game.
Games resume Friday with opening day winners Jose Rizal University and University of Batangas going up against Emilio Aguinaldo College and Adamson, respectively, while National University debuts against CEU and Olivarez taking on PCU-Dasmarinas.
