By REYNALD MAGALLON
University of the Philippines evaded a huge upset axe from Emilio Aguinaldo College and squeezed out a 70-65 win to remain unscathed in the PG Flex Linoleum UCBL Pre-Season tournament Sunday at the SGS Gym in Quezon City.
The reigning UAAP champions were put to a test as the Maroons needed the insurance free throws from Bismarck Lina in the waning minutes to repulse a determined Generals side and pick up their second win in as many games, enough to secure a solo lead in Group A.
Terrence Fortea and Reyland Torres carried the scoring load for the Maroons, scattering 15 points each as Gilas big man Carl Tamayo struggled offensively with just three points to show on a dismal 1-of-8 shooting from the field.
The Generals put up a huge scare in the final minutes as they pulled within 68-65 before Lina cooly sank his free throws to give UP the much needed cushion.
The Maroons then dodge huge bullets in the next possession as EAC botched its chances of cutting the lead further as Ralph Robin missed a long bomb before Nat Cosejo flubbed two free throws.
In the other game, Jose Rizal University absorbed its first taste of defeat after forfeiting its match against Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas for bringing in a wrong set of uniforms.
In Group B action, National University likewise enhanced its quarterfinals bid by shellacking University of Batangas, 82-59, while Centro Escolar University finally barged into the win column after two failed attempts with a 93-71 drubbing of Lyceum.
Jhomel Ancheta showed the way for the Scorpions with 18 points and 13 boards while Anjord Cabotaje and Ron Rei Tolentino chipped in 15 and 12 points, respectively.
UCBL: UP evades EAC upset axe; NU, CEU triumph
REYNALD MAGALLON
University of the Philippines evaded a huge upset axe from Emilio Aguinaldo College and squeezed out a 70-65 win to remain unscathed in the PG Flex Linoleum UCBL Pre-Season tournament Sunday at the SGS Gym in Quezon City.
The reigning UAAP champions were put to a test as the Maroons needed the insurance free throws from Bismarck Lina in the waning minutes to repulse a determined Generals side and pick up their second win in as many games, enough to secure a solo lead in Group A.
Terrence Fortea and Reyland Torres carried the scoring load for the Maroons, scattering 15 points each as Gilas big man Carl Tamayo struggled offensively with just three points to show on a dismal 1-of-8 shooting from the field.
The Generals put up a huge scare in the final minutes as they pulled within 68-65 before Lina cooly sank his free throws to give UP the much needed cushion.
The Maroons then dodge huge bullets in the next possession as EAC botched its chances of cutting the lead further as Ralph Robin missed a long bomb before Nat Cosejo flubbed two free throws.
In the other game, Jose Rizal University absorbed its first taste of defeat after forfeiting its match against Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas for bringing in a wrong set of uniforms.
In Group B action, National University likewise enhanced its quarterfinals bid by shellacking University of Batangas, 82-59, while Centro Escolar University finally barged into the win column after two failed attempts with a 93-71 drubbing of Lyceum.
Jhomel Ancheta showed the way for the Scorpions with 18 points and 13 boards while Anjord Cabotaje and Ron Rei Tolentino chipped in 15 and 12 points, respectively.
