Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
NATIONAL U picked up its third win in four games following a 75-59 rout of Far Eastern U Saturday night, even as University of the Philippines nailed a second straight victory in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
With new recruit JV Gallego holding fort, the Bulldogs leaned on a fiery start to seize control, before coasting in the second half to complete the wire-to-wire victory over the reigning UAAP champions.
The Fighting Maroons turned up their pressure defense in the second half to subdue the St. Benilde Blazers, 67-58, and improve to 2-1.
Mapua posted the most impressive win of the day with a 104-94 pummeling of defending NCAA champion Letran.
Guards CJ Isit and Exeqiel Biteng combined for 41 points while NCAA Most Valuable Player Allwell Oraeme dished out a double double with 16 points and 18 rebounds as the Cardinals evened their card at 1-1.
The Cardinals shot 55 percent from the floor and scored 32 points off fast breaks.
“We got a lot of fast break points,” said Mapua coach Atoy Co. “Admittedly, we are a smaller team with the exception of Oraeme.”
The scores:
First Game
UP 67—Moralde 14, Dario 10, Manuel 8, Harris 7, Desiderio 7, Lao 7, Espanola 5, Tekaoudjou 4, Sablan 4, Ong 1, Romero 0, Bederi 0, Vito 0.
ST. BENILDE 58—Fajarito 14, Domingo JJ 12, Haruna 10, Leutchen 7, Pajarillaga 6, Pasamonte 4, Young 3, Norberte 2, San Juan 0, Domingo JS 0, Dizon 0, Belgica 0, Pili 0.
Quarters: 10-18, 25-27, 46-38, 67-58
Second Game
MAPUA 104—Isit 23, Biteng 18, Oraeme 16, Serrano 13, Menina 11, Victoria 8, Gamboa 7, Orquina 5, Estrella 2, Magboo 1, Raflores 0, Aguirre 0.
LETRAN 94—Nambatac 20, Quinto 14, Sollano 14, Balanza 13, Calvo 12, Luib 10, Ambahot 5, Dela Pena 3, Balagasay 3, Apreku 0, Panbid 0, Sario 0.
Quarters: 39-21, 57-45, 81-67, 104-94
Third Game
NU 75—Gallego 15, Mosqueda 13, Gaye 8, Yu 8, Salem 5, Go 5, Aquino 5, Labing-isa 4, Morido 3, Diputado 3, Abatayo 3, Lastimosa 3.
FEU 59—Holmqvist S. 13, Escoto 10, Comboy 7, Trinidad 6, Ebona 6, Holmqvist K. 5, Arong 3, Dennison 3, Nunag 2, Bienes 2, Orizu 1, Delfinado 1, Tuffin 0, Bayquin 0, Lee Yu.
Quarters: 23-11, 41-22, 61-37, 75-59