University of the Philippines fought off bitter rival Ateneo in the much-anticipated Battle of Katipunan in the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup for a well-earned 82-75 win, Saturday in San Juan’s Filoil EcoOil Centre.
“Pag maganda ‘yung tema ng laro and nakukuha namin ‘yung gusto namin, ok ako kahit anong outcome ng numbers ko,” said JD Cagulangan, who paced the Fighting Maroons with 16 points with two assists.
The likes of Dikachi Ududo (15 points, four rebounds) and Aldous Torculas (14 markers, 10 boards) also helped in extending UP’s unbeaten start in the tournament.
With a 6-0 standing, State U is already assured of the top seed for the crossover quarterfinals.
After a 68-all deadlock at the 5:47 mark of the final frame, UP went on a tear of 10 unanswered points behind Harold Alarcon and Francis Lopez to dig the Blue Eagles a hole they couldn’t climb out of.
Andrew Bongo notched 16 points and five boards while getting support from Shaun Tuano (16) and Mason Amos (14) for still-winless Ateneo (0-5).
Still alive and kicking, meanwhile, is University of the East which banked on Precious Momowei’s 15-point, 19-rebound double-double performance to beat University of Santo Tomas, 66-60, for a 3-3 card.
Also fanning the flames for the next round is Adamson after turning back slumping National University in a 57-53 overtime win.
Cedrick Manzano was the lone Soaring Falcon in double-figures with 19 points laced with eight boards, but that was more than enough for their second win in five games.
Over in the NCAA bracket, College of Saint Benilde remained atop the standings with a 5-1 slate, while Lyceum of the Philippines University improved to 2-6 after separate impressive wins.
The Blazers turned in a 71-69 escape from San Beda University behind Allen Liwag’s 14 points and nine rebounds alongside Tony Ynot who wound up with 10 markers and four boards.
The Pirates, for their part, registered their second win at the expense of Arellano University, 88-82, with Simon Peñafiel at the forefront of the attack with 26 points and two rebounds.
THE scores:
FIRST GAME
UE 66 — Abate 16, Momowei 15, Galang 15, Lingolingo 8, Cruz-Dumont 7, Robles 5, Spandonis 0, Jardinico 0, Fong 0, Go 0, Niric 0, Malaga 0, Pacheco 0, Maga 0, Palaroan 0, Mulingtapang 0.
UST 60 — Crisostomo 12, Cabañero 11, Paranada 9, Manaytay 6, Estacio 6, Pangilinan 5, Padrigao 4, Robinson 4, Osang 3, Castro 0, Andrews 0, Laure 0, Suba 0, Danting 0.
QUARTERS: 16-18, 31-37, 55-43, 66-60.
SECOND GAME
LPU 88— Abiera 32, Dayrit 10, Valencia 10, Libang 8, Capulong 7, Hernal 4, Geronimo 4, Acop 2, Vinoya 2, Dela Cruz 2, Camay 1, Borromeo 0, Espiritu 0, Rosalin 0, Miller 0.
ARELLANO 82— Peñafiel 26, Montaño 17, Barba 15, Guadaña 11, Villegas 7, Aviles 6, Cunanan 2, Moralejo 2, Versoza 2, Lopez 0, Reyes 0.
QUARTERS: 29-17, 45-44, 70-63, 88-82.
THIRD GAME
ADAMSON 57— Manzano 19, Anabo 8, Alexander 7, Mantua 6, Calisay 6, Ramos 4, Ignacio 2, Fransman 2, Mudianga 2, Ronzone 1.
NU 53— Manansala 15, Figueroa 12, Garcia 6, Yu 4, Enriquez 3, Santiago 3, Padrones 3, Lim 2, Diassana 2, Francisco 2, Gulapa 1, Dela Cruz 0, Jomamoy 0, Tulabut 0.
QUARTERS: 16-9, 28-25, 32-33, 50-50, 57-53.
FOURTH GAME
BENILDE 71— Liwag 14, Torres 10, Ynot 10, Sangco 9, Cometa 6, Ondoa 5, Morales 5, Ancheta 4, Galas 4, Eusebio 3, Turco 1, Cajucom 0, Serrano 0, Oli 0.
SAN BEDA 69— Gonzales 18, Tagle 13, Puno 12, Payosing 8, Sajonia 6, Bonzalida 3, Re. Calimag 3, Estacio 2, Celzo 2, Ri. Calimag 2, Tagala 0, Jalbuena 0, Torres 0, Royo 0.
QUARTERS: 21-13, 39-33, 55-52, 71-69
FIFTH GAME
UP 82— Cagulangan 16, Ududo 15, Torculas 14, Lopez 8, Alter 7, Alarcon 5, Bayla 5, Torres 4, Belmonte 3, Briones 3, Walker 2, Felicilda 0.
ATENEO 75— Bongo 16, Tuano 14, Amos 10, Espinosa 9, Bahay 8, Porter 7, Koon 6, Quitevis 3, Lazaro 2, Ebdane 0, Ong 0, Reyes 0, Espina 0.
QUARTERS: 22-18, 39-39, 63-60, 82-75.
