Archers, Bulldogs stretch Filoil streak

STREAKING La Salle and National University kept a firm grip of the top spot after rolling past separate opponents in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup yesterday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Jeron Teng and Ben Mbala carried the load anew as the Green Archers hacked out an 87-78 triumph over Lyceum to stay unbeaten in six games in Group B.

The Bulldogs, leaning on back-up guards Cedric Labing-isa and JV Gallego, also cruised past University of the Philippines, 75-64, to join idle Arellano at 5-1 for the Group A lead.

“It’s a new team and it’s a feel-out time for them,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano. “[The focus is] more on chemistry and getting to know each other.”

Labing-isa and Gallego unloaded 14 points each to lift the Bulldogs, who outscored the Maroons, 23-10, in the third quarter on the way to a double-digit triumph.

San Beda also banked on its young guns to down Adamson, 86-81, and stay at second spot with a 5-1 mark in Group B of the two-division tournament.

Donald Tankoua led with 21 points and 15 rebounds as the Lions held on against the pesky Falcons, who managed to trim their 72-60 advantage to just four, 85-81, in the closing seconds.

“You’re here to develop your players,” said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin. “And this is their opportunity to know what a close game is.”

The Archers also survived the Pirates’ late outburst where their 24-point buffer, 70-46, early in the fourth quarter got trimmed to just nine in the final tally.

Teng paced the Archers with 20 points and Mbala posted another double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Despite the loss, the Falcons still have a shot at advancing to the next round as they stayed in the middle of the pack with a 3-3 slate.

The Maroons (2-4) and the Pirates (1-6), though, may be headed for an early exit with just two more playdates left.

The scores:
First Game
NU 75—Labing-isa 14, Gallego 14, Salem 12, Aquino 10, Morido 4, Mosqueda 4, Salim 4, Diputado 4, Aroga 3, Lastimosa 2, Yu 2, Go 2, Cauilan 0, Rangel 0.
UP 64—Desiderio 28, Manuel 12, Moralde 8, Webb 6, Harris 4, Romero 4, Tekoudjou 2, Dario 0, Asilum 0, Longa 0.
Quarters: 17-8, 34-28, 57-38, 75-64
Second Game
SAN BEDA 86—Tankoua 21, Soberano 10, Bolick 9, Potts 8, Presbitero 8, Sara 7, Oftana 6, Noah 5, Tongco 4, Navarro 3, Cabanag 3, Mocon 2, Carlos 0, Alas 0.
ADAMSON 81—Manalang 19, Sarr 16, Ng 15, Ahanmisi 9, Manganti 6, Tungcab 5, Ochea 5, Bernardo 4, Pasturan 2, Paranada 0, Camacho 0, Cadua 0.
Quarters: 17-27, 48-42, 69-58, 86-81