Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
University of the Philippines withstood the might of Gilas Pilipinas to come away with a 78-72 come-from-behind victory Tuesday in the 2018 Chooks-to-Go Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Juan Gomez de Liaño spearheaded the Fighting Maroons with 22 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while Jun Manzo dropped 18 of his 22 points in the second half, on top of three boards and two assists.
The two were pivotal in UP’s come back from 16-points down, 50-34, in the third quarter as the Maroons rallied to tie the game at 65 with 5:30 left in the game.
Manzo drained the go-ahead triple, 70-69, with 2:58 remaining, before Bright Akhuetie and Jerson Prado scored big buckets down low to give the Fighting Maroons the comfortable 76-69 advantage with 52.9 seconds left on the clock.
“That was a win that we can go back every time,” said coach Bo Perasol.
“It’s a win we need to remember, going against some of the best college players and holding our ground no matter what it is. What’s important is that we can tell ourselves that if we can keep it together and do what we’re supposed to do, we can come out as victors every time.”
Akhuetie also got 16 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks in the win.
UP rose to 2-3 in Group A and endangered Gilas Pilipinas’ position in the group stages as the Nationals fell to 1-4.
Arvin Tolentino paced Gilas with 14 points and five rebounds, while Isaac Go had 12.
The Scores:
UP 78 — Ju. Gomez de Liaño 22, Manzo 22, Akhuetie 16, Ja. Gomez de Liaño 6, Vito 3, Lim 2, Murrell 2, Tungcab 2, Gozum 1, Dario 0, Jaboneta 0, Longa 0.
GILAS PILIPINAS 72 — A. Tolentino 14, Go 12, R. Rivero 9, Paras 8, Tamayo 7, V. Tolentino 6, Tuffin 5, Mocon 4, P. Rivero 4, Alejandro 3, Ambohot 0.
Quarters: 16-18, 27-41, 53-58, 78-72.