Nic Cabañero’s baseline floater finally lifted University of Santo Tomas onto the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup win column.
Cabañero’s heroics led to a 76-75 overtime stunner at National University’s expense Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
After two tough losses against UAAP Season 86 champion De La Salle University and runner-up University of the Philippines, the revamped Growling Tigers at last snatched a triumph over a powerhouse in the Bulldogs.
“Tine-test namin yung team namin kung hanggang saan kami pupunta and, at the same time, yung mga players nagde-deliver. Yung breaks of the game napunta sa amin against NU, and ang importante, a win is a win kahit one point lang yan,” said UST head coach Pido Jarencio.
Cabañero totaled 19 points – including the Growling Tigers’ last four – on top of three boards. Hinda Tounkara and Christian Manaytay contributed 18 and 15 markers, respectively, for UST.
With 17 seconds left in the extra period, Reinhard Jumamoy drained two free throws to put NU up, 75-72. Cabañero then answered with a quick slash and score to trim the deficit to a solitary point.
Sent to the stripe to stop the clock, Bulldogs prized rookie Tebol Garcia muffed on his two charities and another try due to a lane violation, before Cabañero came to UST’s rescue once and for all.
Mo Diassana and Jumamoy wound up with 17 and 15 points, respectively, for the now 0-2 Bulldogs.
In another intense matchup, Jonnel Policarpio propelled La Salle past Adamson University, 80-72.
On the back of Policarpio’s 22 points and six rebounds, as well as Henry Agunnane’s all-around 16-point, six-rebound, five-assist, and three-steal line, the Green Archers have now moved forward from a tournament-opening defeat to UP with two consecutive victories.
For the still-struggling and 0-3 Soaring Falcons, Jhon Calisay topped the scoring column with 16 points.
In the other bracket, Colegio de San Juan de Letran overcame a 13-point second half deficit before escaping Lyceum of the Philippines University, 91-86, for back-to-back wins in the tournament co-presented by Bostik El Heneral and ABC Tile Adhesive, and has Smart Sports, Strong Group Athletics, and Hanes as major sponsors.
“Sabi ko lang sa kanila, they need to adjust defensively, yung weak side defense and on-ball defense, then kailangan manalo tayo sa rebounding and mag-extra effort pa tayo,” said interim coach Allen Ricardo.
Former Squires standout Titing Manalili spearheaded the 2-2 Knights with 14 markers, five boards, and five dimes.
On the other hand, John Barba was the main man for the 1-3 Pirates, tallying 19 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Still in the NCAA pool, Emilio Aguinaldo College snapped the three-game winning streak of University of Perpetual Help, 60-49, as the Generals improved to a 2-0 record behind Nico Quinal’s 14-point outing.
College of St. Benilde then scored its second win in the the preseason showcase also supported by Tela.com Athletics as official outfitter and Molten as official game ball, as well as minor sponsors Reyes Barbecue, KFC, Brothers Burger, Wallem Philippines Shipping, Harbor Star Shipping Services, Akari, and KantiGo Sports after an 86-64 lopsided victory vs. rebuilding San Sebastian College-Recoletos which dropped to a 0-3 standing.
Skipper Matthew Oli led the 2-1 Blazers with 12 points and two rebounds, while veteran Joshua Cajucom and Irele Galas churned out 10 markers apiece.
On the other hand, Raymart Escobido converted 13 markers and three boards for the Golden Stags, even as JP Boral shone for Altas with 13 points and three boards.
THE SCORES:
FIRST GAME
BENILDE 86 - Oli 12, Cajucom 10, Galas 10, Carilo 8, Morales 8, Liwag 7, Turco 7, Eusebio 6, Sangco 5, Ondoa 4, Torres 3, Ancheta 2, Victoria 2, Serrano 1, Ynot 1
SAN SEBASTIAN 64 - Escobido 13, Velasco 11, Gabat 10, Pascual 5, Felebrico 4, Maliwat 3, R. Gabat 3, Aguilar 3, Ricio 2, Barroga 2, Suico 2, Lintol 2, Ronquillo 2, Valiña 2, Ramilo 0, Reguera 0
QUARTERS: 20-12, 48-26, 71-47, 86-64
SECOND GAME
EAC 60 - Quinal 14, Pagsanjan 11, Gurtiza 8, Bagay 8, Luciano 7, Oftana 6, Loristo 4, Ochavo 2, Cudiamat 0, Angeles 0, Bacud 0, Umpad 0, Jacob 0, Tolentino 0, Lucero 0
PERPETUAL 49 - Boral 13, Gojo Cruz 10, Pagaran 7, Nuñez 6, Sevilla 6, Pizarro 3, A. Manuel 2, Montemayor 2, Orgo 0, Ayon 0, B. Manuel 0, Thompson 0, Gelsano 0, Cauguiran 0, Udugan 0.
QUARTERS: 20-18, 37-31, 55-41, 60-49
THIRD GAME
UST 76 - Cabañero 19, Tounkara 18, Manaytay 15, Estacio 9, Pangilinan 5, Paranada 5, Laure 3, Padrigao 2, Danting 0, Crisostomo 0, Castro 0, Andrews 0, Moore 0, Suba 0, Versoza 0.
NU 75 - Diassana 17, Jumamoy 15, Manansala 12, Garcia 9, Yu 9, Palacielo 5, Figueroa 4, Padrones 2, Gulapa 2, Francisco 0, Reyes 0, Lim 0. Santiago 0,
QUARTERS: 13-17, 38-34, 56-55, 65-65, 76-75 (OT)
FOURTH GAME
LETRAN 91 - Estrada 19, Manalili 14, Galoy 13, Javillonar 10, Nunag 9, Dimaano 9, Cuajao 8, Baliling 6, Go 4, Montecillo 0, Garupil 0, Pradela 0, Bojorcelo 0, Monje 0, Brillantes 0.
LPU 86 - Barba 19, Guadaña 18, Peñafliel 13, Montaño 12, Bravo 9, Villegas 9, Versoza 4, Aviles 2, Paulo 0, Lopez 0, Reyes 0, Pallingayan 0, Moralejo 0, Daileg 0, Fuentes 0.
QUARTERS: 24-27, 49-53, 68-78, 91-86
FIFTH GAME
LA SALLE 80 - Policarpio 22, Aguananne 16, Abadam 11, Quiambao 11, Cortez 9, Macalalag 4, Marasigan 4, Austria 3, Zamora 0, Gaspay 0, Romero 0, Dungo 0, Alian 0.
ADAMSON 72- Calisay 16, Manzano 13, Anabo 12, Fransman 8, Mantua 7, Barasi 4, Alexander 4, Ramos 4, Mudianga 4, Torres 0, Dignadice 0, Pacquiao 0, Edding 0, Ronzone 0, Sicat 0.
QUARTERS: 22-21, 42-45, 66-66, 72-80.