MANILA, Philippines – The University of the Philippines coolly blew away the Mapua University Cardinals for an 80-71 win in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup.
UP blanked Mapua over a seven-minute span that bridged the second and third periods. Mapua led 29-27 after an undergoal shot by Joshua Dela Cruz at the 3:33 mark of the second frame. From thereon, the Cardinals missed their next five shots, turned the ball over thrice, and sent UP to the line four times where they collected six points.
By the time Mapua scored a twinner, after a Warren Bonifacio putback, the score was 41-31 and there was 3:11 left in the third quarter.
Unfortunately for Mapua, their shooting woes continued while UP played solid defense while moving the ball around efficiently. They went on another 13-0 run, with Juan Gomez De Liaño scoring seven points and point guard Jun Manzo adding four points to hike the lead to 54-31 with time down to 3:34 in the third.
The Fighting Maroons built up to a 26-point lead, 61-35, after forward James Spencer hit two free throws off a JJ Pido foul with 1:43 left in the third frame.
Come the fourth canto, Mapua tried to rally as they cut the lead down to nine behind six points each from Bonifacio and Eric Jabel. But time wasn’t on the Cardinals’ side as UP won their fourth match in six outings, 80-71.
“I think the entire team stepped up today,” underscored UP head coach Bo Perasol, who got 35 points from his bench while his starters put up 45 points on the board. “Even with Bright Akhuetie (who was played few minutes as UP had the game in hand early) playing few minutes and without Ricci Rivero and Kobe Paras, this is good because we know there are others who can step up.”
‘It felt good to be able to contribute to a big win,” added Juan Gomez De Liaño, who led UP with 17 points. Manzo backed him up with 15.
For the 1-5 cardinals, Warren Bonifacio scored a game-high 23 points and hauled down 13 boards. Eric Jabel chipped in 15 while Laurenz Victoria contributed 13.
Mapua got into early foul trouble in the first three quarters and they paid for it with UP knocking down 33-37 shots for an 89% accuracy rate. The Fighting Maroons also scored 10 fast-break points to the Cardinals’ five.
In the high school division, Lyceum of the Philippines University assured itself of a spot in the semifinals when they clobbered De La Salle Zobel, 81-70. DLSZ is without Batang Gilas center Raven Cortez, who is still out with a knee injury. Migs Pascual, another youth national player, has transferred to San Beda.
The streaking National University Bullpups outlasted the tough Far Eastern University Tamaraws for a 79-70 win behind Gerry Abadiano’s 20 points and Kevin Quiambao’s 12 points and 12 boards.
FEU’s Cholo Añonuevo also tallied a double-double in a losing effort with 12 points and 10 boards.
In the 11-Under Division, the La Salle Greenhills Greenies blasted Don Bosco in the first half where they put up 47 points to the latter’s measly one point. In the second half, the Greenies poured it on for a 91-11 win and their fourth victory in five matches while Don Bosco dropped to 2-5.
Colegio De San Benildo squeaked past Claret, 48-46, for a 3-2 slate (the latter fell to 2-3) while Marist completed the day’s blowouts with a 60-19 win.