MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines blew a commanding lead before salvaging a 76-69 win over College of St. Benilde in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup Monday at the San Juan Arena.
Dave Moralde topscored with 18 points to go along with seven rebounds while JR Gallarza notched a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Fighting Maroons.
UP led and lost a huge 21-point buffer it built at halftime with CSB able to pull to within three in the closing seconds.
But with a steady hand at the free throw line, the Maroons, with Moralde and Diego Dario sinking a couple of freebies, kept the Blazers from getting even closer.
“Perhaps, you’ve already heard this but it’s really a process for us. But finally, we’re getting confidence during the end-game,” said new UP head coach Rey Madrid. “Shaky but it’s there and we’re able to develop our team defense and we were able to do it in the end.”
CSB used an 8-0 run to close to within, 69-72, with still 1:14 left after UP stretched its lead back to 11 from just a precarious six-point spread.
Playmaker Mikee Reyes contributed 14 points while Dario finished with 13 points and Mark Juruena shot 10 points.
Flashy guard Jonathan Grey led the Blazers with 17 points while Nayve had 10.
RELATED STORY
UP nips St. Benilde; Adamson blasts RTU in Filoil women’s caging