University of the Philippines rallied mightily from a 20-point deficit to stun UAAP rival La Salle, 69-66, and extend its reign in the Filoil EcoOil ECJ Preseason Cup on Wednesday, June 12, at San Juan’s Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Almost given up for dead after falling behind 43-23 in the second quarter, the Maroons came through with offensive spurts in the final half to shave bit by bit the gap until they seized the lead.
So determined the Maroons to get back at the team that caused their misery after losing in the UAAP Finals they tallied 46 points in the last two quarters – thanks to Gerry Abadiano’s explosion.
In sharp contrast, the Archers’ offense sputtered and were held to just 23 points.
“Nung halftime, sabi sa amin, ‘di kami nakaka-shoot and nawawala rin yung depensa namin. Buti pagbalik namin ng second half, binounce back namin yun,” said Abadiano. “Para sa akin lang, wag kami tumigil, tuloy-tuloy lang sa pag-improve.”
Abadiano wound up with 12 points which, along with all his effort and energy, were more than enough to claim Puso Pilipinas Finals MVP honors.
JD Cagulangan fired 13 points of his own to go with five rebounds and four assists, as Francis Lopez contributed eight points, 12 boards, two dimes, and two steals.
Cagulangan and Lopez were also recognized as part of the Puso Pilipinas Mythical Five, alongside Far Eastern University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran impact rookies Veejay Pre and Jonathan Manalili, as well as La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao.
Quiambao, the Smart Sports Season MVP, spearheaded his squad as always with a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double, but missed two triples in the last seven minutes that would’ve made a difference.
FEU, meantime, bagged the bronze medal after weathering Letran’s late storm, 80-78.
In the 1-on-1 King of the Hardcourt, Benilde’s Ian Torres caught fire to claim the crown after torching Letran’s Stephen Garupil, 14-4, in the final.
The scores:
UP 69 — Cagulangan 13, Abadiano 12, Alarcon 9, Ududo 9, Lopez 8, Torres 7, Torculas 7, Felicilda 2, Alter 2, Stevens 0, Walker 0, Bayla 0, Briones 0, Belmonte 0, Tan 0.
LA SALLE 66 — Quiambao 14, Austria 14, Ramiro 7, Agunanne 7, Gollena 7, Dungo 6, Policarpio 4, Macalalag 3, Marasigan 2, Cortez 2, Zamora 0, Buenaventura 0, Gaspay 0, Abadam 0, Rubico 0, Alian 0.
QUARTERS: 17-14, 23-43, 48-53, 69-66.
