MANILA, Philippines – Some games are over even before they’ve really begun.
The vengeful Mapua Cardinals took out their frustrations on the rebuilding Arellano University Chiefs, 85-65, for their first win in four outings in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup.
Mapua held Arellano to four points — a basket each coming from Kent Salado and Ronan Santos — in the first period while dropping 25 of their own. Although the Chiefs eventually woke up and battled Mapua from there on, the Cardinals simply matched them basket for basket.
The Cardinals’ frontcourt of Warren Bonifacio and Christian Buñag did a lot of heavy lifting for first year Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara as they both posted double-doubles of 15 points and 12 rebounds and 14 points and 14 boards, respectively.
Starters Denniel Aguirre and Noah Lugo added 13 and 10 points as well, respectively, to Mapua’s overall effort.
Salado, one of the Chiefs’ Big Three during the years when they went to the NCAA finals in 2014 and 2016, led his side with 17 points. Rence Alcoriza added 13 while power forward Justin Araña chipped in 11.
In high school caging, the San Beda Red Cubs blew out the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, 105-52.
The rebuilding Blue Eaglets were without their two Batang Gilas players in Forthsky Padrigao who was out with an ankle sprain and Joshua Lazaro who is in Spain for training.
The Red Cubs were in control for the entire game. From a slim 19-11 first quarter lead, they pounced on Ateneo in the second frame with a 21-8 blitz to blow the game wide open.
Wilmar Oftana led San Beda with 18 points, Justine Sanchez added 17 while Jay Ynot contributed 16.
Jynno Ladimo was the only Atenean in double digits with 11 points.