University of the Philippines stretched its winning run to four as it dispatched winless Emilio Aguinaldo College, 83-70, on Monday in the 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup.
Javi Gomez de Liano and Paul Desiderio stepped up in the absence of Javi’s younger brother, Juan, and Bright Akhuetie to improve the Fighting Maroons’ record to 4-3 at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Javi fired 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting while Desiderio finished with 16 points, eight-rebound and four assists.
Juan was out with an ankle sprain while Akhuetie, although in uniform, was not fielded in.
Will Gozum and Jun Manzo also added 12 points each for UP, which opened Group A with three losses.
JP Maguliano posted 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Generals, still winless in five starts.
In another Group A duel, University of the East notched a second win after dealing Mapua a 92-84 defeat and a first loss in five games while Adamson improved to 4-1 in Group B with a 74-67 win over Jose Rizal University, which dropped to 0-7.
FIRST GAME
ADAMSON 74—Sarr 16, Manganti 9, Magbuhos 7, Espeleta 7, Catapusan 7, Lastimosa 6, Camacho 6, Colonia 5, Mojica 5, Ahanmisi 4, Zaldivar 2, Bernardo 0
JRU 67—Mendoza 12, Dela Virgen 12, Padua 11, Silvarez 4, Estrella 4, Dela Rosa 3, Mallari 3, David 3, Ramos 2, Bordon 2, Steinl 2, Esquerra 1, De Guzman 0.
Quarters: 26-12, 31-31, 54-46, 74-67