THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and Adamson hacked out narrow victories while St. Benilde upset powerhouse Far Eastern University in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena.
Jeric Teng took charge in the closing minutes as the Tigers battled back from double-digit deficits to clip Lyceum in overtime, 93-86, for a 4-3 record in Group B.
Teng nailed a layup with 6.8 seconds left to forge the extension, 75-75, before dropping 11 of his 27 points in the extra period.
Aljon Mariano also erupted for 31 points to help the Tigers rally from 11 points down, 44-55, in the second half.
The Falcons banked on the end-game heroics of Rodney Brondial and Jericho Cruz to dispose of the University of the Philippines, 76-70, and rise to 4-2 while the Blazers shocked the Tamaraws, 81-74, to tie their victims at 3-4 in separate Group A duels.
Brondial and Cruz combined for 14 of Adamson’s 22 points in a fourth-quarter run that turned a 54-59 deficit into a 74-64 edge.
Paolo Taha shot 12 of his 19 points in the fourth period to lead the Blazers’ comeback from 13 points down, 22-35, at halftime. With reports from Carla Perez, Nico Pascual, Nikka Valenzuela
The scores:
First Game
UST 93—Mariano 31, Teng 27, Abdul 11, Bautista 9, Daquioag 7, Pe 3, Lo 2, Hainga 2, Sheriff 1, Tan 0, Lao 0, Marata 0, Faundo 0.
LYCEUM 86—Zamora 21, Ko 19, Baltazar 13, Taladua 9, Lesmoras 7, Francisco 6, Mendoza 4, Azores 4, Lacastesantos 3, Soliman 0, Ambohot 0, Evangelista 0, Garcia 0, Alanes 0.
Quarters: 17-16, 38-43, 50-59, 75-75 (reg.), 93-86 (OT)
Second Game
ADAMSON 76—Brondial 22, Cruz 16, Monteclaro 11, Rios 10, Sewa 6, Agustin 4, Cabrera 3, Abrigo 2, Cabigas 2, Inigo 0, Petilos 0, Ochea 0.
UP 70—Pascual 11, Ball 10, Soyud 10, Wong 10, Marata 6, Lao 6, Gingerich 5, Reyes 4, Asilum 4, Gallarza 2, Desiderio 2, Amar 0, Harris 0.
Quarters: 18-12, 34-28, 54-59, 76-70
Third Game
ST. BENILDE 81—Taha 19, Sinco 15, Saavedra 14, Grey 10, Bartolo 5, Garcia 5, Romero 4, Ongtengco 4, Argamino 3, Carlos 2, Jonson 0, De Guzman 0, Deles 0, Lastimosa 0.
FEU 74—Hargrove 18, Garcia 14, Tolomia 11, Cruz 7, Pogoy 6, Dennison 6, Belo 3, Mendoza 2, Inigo 2, Jose 2, Denila 2, Sentcheu 1, Aguilon 0, Luz 0.
Quarters: 13-14, 22-35, 49-55, 81-74