Red Lions extends winning run to three; UE, Adamson cruise to victories

UE swingman Ralf Olivarez puts up a jumper in their Filoil Flying V Pre-Season game against UST on Saturday. (FCF / Vyn Radovan)

San Beda College marks their return to Philippine soil with a victory over Far Eastern University, while University of the East and Adamson University compiled blowout victories in Saturday’s Filoil Flying V Pre-Season men’s tripleheader at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Red Lions, fresh off their Los Angeles trip for their pre-season training camp, escaped with a narrow 80-76 victory over FEU in the day’s featured matchup.

(FCF / Vyn Radovan)

Using their superior ball movement, led by steady point guard Baser Amer who turned in eight assists in the contest, SBC were able to feed off the ball to the likes of Arthur dela Cruz and Ola Adeogun who were able to score inside the paint.

Dela Cruz topped the red and white with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Adeogun added 15 points and nine rebounds for the three-time defending NCAA champions’ cause.

RR Garcia, who tallied 13 points in the second half, finished with 23 in the match in a losing cause.

Meanwhile, rookie Ralf Olivarez maintaned a perfect shooting slate throughout UE’s 85-68 wire-to-wire victory over University of Santo Tomas.

A product of Cagayan de Oro, Olivarez put up 17 points on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting from the field and 3-for-3 from the foul line. JR Sumido had 16, while Roi Sumang added 15 points.

Despite the Growling Tigers bringing down the lead to five by the tail end of the 3rd quarter, the rejuvenated Red Warriors resurrected their advantage to 21 midway through the final canto and never looked back.

Aljon Mariano tallied 15 points and 7 rebounds off the bench, while Jeric Teng was the only starter in double figures with 13.

Earlier, Ingrid Sewa and the rest of Adamson U downed Benilde, 80-63, to move over .500 after five games.

The 6-foot-10 Cameroonian towed the Falcons in the middle, putting up 24 points and 12 rebounds to his tally. Jericho Cruz led all scorers with 25.

The Blazers, who slid down with a 2-4 mark, relied on forward Mark Romero alone to carry the scoring cudgels with 21 points.

In the women’s division, Lyceum of the Philippines finally nailed their first victory in four games at the expense of the still-winless Ateneo de Manila University, 68-53.

Mhean Vasquez of the Lady Pirates finished with 20 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals in the contest.