Letran coach Aldin Ayo. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
New La Salle coach Adin Ayo steered the Green Archers to the early solo lead as his former team Letran also debuted with a win in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Ben Mbala, the Cameroonian rookie center, dominated with 24 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks to power the Archers to a 97-75 blasting of University of the East.
“If you look at the stats, we were pretty much even with UE,” Ayo said after the Archers picked up their second straight victory in the preseason basketball tournament.
“But aside from handling their press, we shot the ball better.”
The Knights—whom Ayo mentored to the NCAA championship just last season—also triumphed in an 89-84 decision over Lyceum.
Bong Quinto fired 18 points and Rey Namabatac also hit clutch baskets in a 17-point outing to lead the Knights.
“We still have a long way to go,” said new Letran coach Jeff Napa, who won three crowns with National University in the UAAP juniors division.
Ateneo, meanwhile, downed Adamson, 84-75, for its first victory in two outings behind Mike Nieto and Kris Porter’s combined 28 points.
Nambatac, whose triple shattered a deadlock at 72, nailed a key layup that cushioned the Knight’ lead after the Pirates pulled within 89-84 with 47 seconds left.
Jeron Teng also dropped 24 points for the Archers, who had the game in control early by shooting 42 percent from the field.
Both UE and Lyceum slipped to 1-1 records, while Adamson remained winless in two games.
The scores:
First Game
LETRAN 89—Quinto 18, Nambatac 17, Sollano 14, Luib 9, Balanza 7, Calvo 6, Gedaria 6, Apreku 4, Dela Peña 4, Sario 3, Balagasay 1, Bernabe 0.
LYCEUM 84—Baltazar 19, Gabayni 12, Ayaay 10, Serafica 9, Allanes 8, Caduyac 7, Soliman 6, Bulawan 5, Zamora 2, Alban 2, Malabanan 2, Nzeusseu 2, Magbuhos 0.
Quarters: 24-24, 49-47, 69-69, 89-84
Second Game
LA SALLE 97—Mbala 24, Teng 24, Torres 13, Tratter 12, Gob 6, Caracut 5, Montalbo 5, Melecio 4, Langston 4,Go 0.
UE 75—Pasaol 13, Charcos 10, Batiller 8, Penuela 8, Manalang 7, De Leon 6, Palma 5, Acuno 4, Olyan 4, Poblete 3, Varilla 2, Derige 2, Gagate 2, Larupay 1, Armenion 0, Bartolome 0.
Quarters: 25-18, 49-36, 73-62, 97-75