MANILA – University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons clawed back from 20 points down to prevail over De La Salle University Green Archers, 69-66, in the finals of FilOil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Trailing by as much as 20 points at 23-43 after the first two quarters, the Fighting Maroons rode on the exploits of Negrense Harold Alarcon, Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano, Francis Lopez, and JD Cagulangan in the third to cut the deficit to 50-53.
The Fighting Maroons went on with its run in the fourth quarter, as they knotted the score at 58-all before surging ahead at 63-58 on connections from Kingsley Udodo and Lopez.
The Green Archers responded with their own rally to take the lead for the last time at 65-64 on a Kevin Quiambao three-pointer, but the Fighting Maroons got baskets from Udodo and Cagulangan for a 68-65 edge.
Green Archers’ Lian Ramiro and Fighting Maroons’ Lopez split their free throws to maintain the three-point margin at 69-66. DLSU had its last stand on a Quiambao triple miss from halftime.
Cagulangan led the way with 13 points, while Abadiano contributed 12 markers for the Fighting Maroons, which claimed their second straight FilOil title at the expense of the Green Archers.
“Nung halftime, sabi sa amin, hindi 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, huwag kami tumigil, tuloy-tuloy lang sa pag-improve.”
Quiambao, who was named as the tournament Most Valuable Player, led the way for the Green Archers with 14 points, while Cyrus Austria contributed 14 markers in the defeat.
Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws claimed the bronze medal with an 80-78 win over the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights. Jorick Bautista led the Tamaraws with 21 points.
“Even this third place, this is huge for us. It is big. It’s a place for us to grow so we gotta go in steps,” said first-year Tamaraws head coach Sean Chambers./PN
BOX SCORE:
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.
DLSU 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.
Quarterscores: 17-14, 23-43, 48-53, 69-66.
