Tigers claw Pirates in OT, Adamson survives State U
Benilde forward Mark Romero gets hacked by FEU center Anthony Hargrove in their 2013 Filoil Flying V Pre-Season match on Friday. (FCF / Vyn Radovan)
Incoming NCAA Season 89 hosts De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde took advantage of a battle-weary Far Eastern University side to gain just their third win in seven outings in Friday’s 2013 Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Premier Cup men’s tripleheader at The Arena in San Juan City.
Led by Paolo Taha, the Blazers sped past the worn-out and undermanned Tamaraws late in the fourth via an 81-74 result in the day’s main game.
The third year combo guard posted 19 points and 6 rebounds off the bench. Luis Sinco added 15 points and 5 assists, while newcomer Fons Saavedra had 14 points and 9 rebounds.
“There’s so much to learn here. We were able to execute offensively and handle (FEU) defensively,” said first-year Benilde head coach Gabby Velasco.
“This is a big win for us. I hope we can look forward positively to our NCAA campaign.”
Not only was the win a morale booster for the rebuilding Blazers, but it also gave them a slim lead over FEU for the last quarterfinals spot in Group A with identical 3-4 cards.
Playing without key players Terrence Romeo (indefinite suspension) and Russel Escoto (suspected ACL injury), the Tamaraws are coming off a futile PBA D-League quarterfinals stint under the Fruitas banner where most of their veteran players suited up. Nontheless, the Tams relased their ire on the Blazers in a 21-9 second period assault to lead by 13 at the half, 35-22.
But Taha, who only had four points in the first half, waxed hot in their comeback by midway in the third quarter that culminated with a go-ahead trey with 4:02 left in the match and never looked back. The green and white five flipped the script in that fourth period, completely outscoring their counterparts from Morayta by a 32-19 margin.
Anthony Hargrove finished with 18 points and nine rebounds before fouling out late in the game. RR Garcia had 14 points and four assists, while Mike Tolomia finished with 11 points in a losing cause.
Earlier, University of Santo Tomas needed five extra minutes to repulse the still-winless Lyceum of the Philippines, 93-86.
Jeric Teng, who only scored three points during regulation, waxed hot with eight points in overtime to tally 11 points and 13 boards in the match. Aljon Mariano led the way again with 31 points and eight rebounds.
Meanwhile, Rodney Brondial’s statline of 22 points and 14 rebounds tows Adamson University past UAAP foe University of the Philippines, 76-70. Jericho Cruz finished with 16 points, while Ryan Monteclaro had 11 points in the match.
In the women’s division, De La Salle University claimed a slim 64-62 victory over National University. Ara Abaca and Cass Santos led the Lady Archers with 13 points apiece.
