Eagles, Lions down tough Filoil rivals
DEFENDING ferociously, UAAP champion Ateneo and NCAA titlist San Beda hammered out tough victories yesterday at the start of the Filoil-Flying V Preseason Premiere Cup.
The Eagles made key defensive stops in the stretch to survive a gritty Letran squad, 55-51, while San Beda gave coach Ronnie Magsanoc a rousing welcome with a 69-63 dumping of De La Salle University before a big crowd at the Filoil Flying V Arena.
Picking up from where he left off last season, Ateneo 7-foot center Greg Slaughter scattered 14 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and swatted away three shots in another solid outing.
It was Slaughter’s imposing presence inside the paint that made life difficult for the Knights down the stretch in the first game of this tournament presented by Bostick Phils.
“The emphasis was on defense in the last minute and we were able to do that,” said Ateneo assistant coach Santi Arespacochaga, who called the shots in place of Norman Black who is still in the United States.
“We haven’t really jelled that well offensively but this was a defensive game and we got the job done defensively.”
Anjo Caram poured 12 of his 15 points in the final quarter to help the Lions survive a late charge by the Archers, who unveiled the highly touted Jeric Teng.
The Lions seemed headed for a trouble-free finish after building a 51-34 buffer in the first two minutes of the third quarter.
But the Archers, making the most out of a flagrant foul called on San Beda forward Jake Pascual, mounted a late challenge that brought them to within four, 63-67, on Almond Vosotros’ triple with 16 seconds left.
Fil-American swingman Julius Armon also impressed in his Lions’ debut with 11 points and four boards.
The scores:
First Game
ATENEO 55—Slaughter 14, Ravena 13, Gonzaga 7, Chua 4, Tiongson 4, Capacio 2, Elorde 2, Erram 2, Porter 2, Salva 2, Buenafe 1, Golla 1, Sumalinog 1, Babilonia 0, Pessumal 0.
LETRAN 51—Cortes 15, Cruz 10, Racal 10, Lituania 8, Gabriel 6, Gabawan 2, Alas J. 0, Alas K. 0, Belorio 0, Pantin 0, Luib 0, Cudal 0.
Quarters: 16-12, 31-21, 45-42, 55-51
Second Game
SAN BEDA 69—Caram 15, Armon 11, Adeogun 10, Koga 8, Dela Rosa 7, Dela Cruz 5, Lim 5, Pascual J. 4, Pascual K. 2, Ludovice 2, Amer 0, Mendoza 0, Moralde 0.
LA SALLE 63—Torres N. 12, Teng 8, Mendoza 8, Webb 6, Andrada 6, Dela Paz 6, Revilla 5, Paredes 4, Tallo 3, Vosotros 3, Tampus 2, Gotladera 0, Torres T. 0, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 13-6, 31-22, 49-34, 69-63
