LA SALLE unleashed a bristling second half attack to topple San Beda, 94-85, last night and stay unbeaten in four games even as Adamson and Letran notched crucial victories in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup.
Ben Mbala stood at the forefront of the Green Archers fiery windup, finishing with 26 points and grabbing 16 rebounds as La Salle solidified its hold of top spot in Group B.
Adamson slipped past a shorthanded Mapua squad, 85-81, while Letran rallied from an early 20-point deficit to stun University of the East, 105-99, at Filoil Flying V Center.
Emilio Aguinaldo College barged into the win column at the expense of University of the Philippines, 68-59.
Jeron Teng also dished out a solid all around game with 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists while Jollo Go had 19 points for the Archers, who outscored the Red Lions, 61-45, in the second half.
The Generals pounced on the absence of UP standouts Jett Manuel and Paul Desiderio as Cameroonian center Hamaduo Laminou notched 23 points, 15 boards and four blocks to lift EAC to a 1-4 record.
The Knights erased a 10-30 deficit thanks to a balanced attack led by Jom Sollano and Rey Nambatac, who finally gave Letran the lead at 98-97 with a left-corner triple.
Sollano wound up with 23 points, six boards, and four assists, while Nambatac contributed with 21 points, five rebounds, three steals for the Knights, who raised their record to 2-2 while pinning a third loss in five games on the Warriors.
Papi Sarr powered the Falcons to their third win in five games in Group B after tallying 27 points, 16 boards, and three blocks. The Cardinals, who missed reigning NCAA rookie-MVP Allwell Oraeme due to a suspension, lost for the third time in four games
The scores:
First Game
EAC 68—Laminou 23, Onwubere 16, Mendoza 11, Munsayac 8, Pascua 6, Guzman 3, Diego 1, King 0, Neri 0, Aguas 0, General 0, Aderes 0, Umali 0
UP 59—Dario 12, Moralde 11, Romero 7, Harris 5, Lao 5, Asilum 5, Vito 4, Sablan 4, Espanola 3, Battad 3, Ong 0
Quarters: 12-16, 30-27, 52-50, 68-59
Second Game
ADAMSON 85—Sarr 27, Ng 13, Manalang 9, Pasturan 9, Paranada 8, Ahanmisi 5, Tungcab 4, Camacho 4, Ochea 3, Manganti 2, Bernardo 1, Mustre 0
MAPUA 81—Isit 19, Estrella 13, Orquina 11, Biteng 10, Gamboa 9, Magboo 7, Bunag 4, Raflores 4, Victoria 2, Serrano 2, Aguirre 0
Quarters: 12-19, 40-43, 67-65, 85-81
Third Game
LETRAN 105—Sollano 23, Nambatac 21, Balanza 18, Quinto 16, Calvo 11, Luib 11, Apreku 5, Dela Pena 0, Balagasay 0, Sario 0, Gedaria 0, Bernabe 0
UE 99—Pasaol 16, Batiller 15, Varilla 11, Manalang 9, Penuela 8, Abanto 6, De Leon 6, Armenion 6, Acuno 6, Charcos 5, Palma 4, Derige 3, Bartolome 2, Gagae 2, Olayon 0
Quarters: 16-32, 47-55, 73-78,105-99
Fourth Game
LA SALLE 94—Mbala 26, Teng 23, Go 19, Caracut 13, Tratter 5, Torres 4, Rivero 4, Langston 0, Melecio 0.
SAN BEDA 85—Potts 18, Soberano 18, Tankoua 15, Sara 9, Bolick 8, Noah 7, Mocon 6, Tongco 2, Presbitero 2, Navarro 0.
Quarters: 21-21, 33-40, 60-62, 94-85