Maroons demolish Cardinals

University of the Philippines packed a lot of firepower and dispatched of Mapua with ease, 80-71, in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup Monday at the league’s official venue in San Juan.

The Maroons held the Cardinals scoreless for a seven-minute span bridging both halves to blow Mapua away even with top guns Ricci Rivero and Kobe Paras sitting this one out.

UP led by as large as 26 points heading into the final 1:43 of the third, which was more than enough buffer for the Maroons to coast along the rest of the way.

It was the fourth win in six games for the Maroons, while the Cardinals slumped to their fifth loss also in six outings.

“I think the entire team stepped up today,” said UP head coach Bo Perasol after getting 35 points from his bench.

“Even with Bright Akhuetie playing few minutes [because of the blowout nature] and without Ricci Rivero and Kobe Paras, this is good because we know there are others who can step up.”

Juan Gomez De Liaño led UP with 17 points, with point guard Jun Manzo backing him up with 15.

Warren Bonifacio scored a game-high 23 points and had 13 boards in leading Mapua.

In high school play, Lyceum of the Philippines University assured itself of a spot in the semifinals after clipping De La Salle Zobel, 81-70.

DLSZ played without Batang Gilas center Raven Cortez, who is still out with a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Simon Camacho led Adamson University to a 70-52 victory over the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers in another seniors game later.
Camacho came off the bench at the start of the second period, and together with Papi Sarr, turned an 11-all contest into a huge 26-point lead.
Adamson, which exited in the Final Four of the UAAP last year, coasted the rest of the way for its fourth win in five matches.