JHYGRUZ Laude (left) of LPU goes for an acrobatic shot off Julius Cadavis of Arellano U yesterday. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
TOUGHER in the second half, San Beda squeaked past Ateneo, 63-61, last night to grab the solo lead in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Hanes Premiere Cup in San Juan.
In a rematch of last year’s finals, Ola Adeogun bullied his way to 16 points and 13 rebounds as the Lions stretched their unbeaten start to three games at the Filoil Flying V Arena.
Baser Amer and Rome Dela Rosa also finished in double figures as San Beda spoiled a terrific show by Ateneo’s Greg Slaughter, who posted 24 points and 13 rebounds.
Ateneo fell to its first loss in three outings as it failed to stop San Beda’s second-half charge that saw the Lions erase a 16-point deficit.
Earlier, a pair of newcomers sparkled for Arellano and Emilio Aguinaldo College as they posted their first victories in the tournament.
Francis Munsayac, formerly of San Beda, gave EAC a huge lift in the overtime period as the Generals stunned the St. Benilde, 77-72.
The Chiefs leaned on newcomer AJ Serjue to overcome the Lyceum Pirates, 89-81, and give coach Koy Banal a winning start.
“He came a week ago and has not attended any of our practices yet, but he served as our sparkplug in this game,” said coach Gerry Esplana of Munsayac, who hit two free throws with 31 seconds left in overtime that sealed the victory.
Cedelf P. Tupas; with a report from Randolph Leongson, Contributor
The scores:
First Game
ARELLANO 89—Serjue 22, Ciriacruz 17, Pinto 13, Cadavis 10, Salcedo 6, Zulueta 5, Hernandez 5, Acidre 4, Malanday 3, Caperal 2, Forrester 2, Lunas 0, Bangga 0.
LYCEUM 81—Ko 18, Cayabyab 17, Laude 13, Francisco 10, Zamora 9, Guevarra 6, Mallari 6, Ambohot 2, Garcia 0, Azores 0.
Quarters: 19-28, 39-49, 62-68, 89-81
Second Game
EAC 77—Happi 15, Monteclaro 12, Tayontong 11, Yaya 10, Munsayac 9, Jamon 9, Sanchez 5, King 5, Morada 1, Acebron 0, Duran 0, Pillas 0, Mallari 0.
ST. BENILDE 72—Lastimosa 15, Tan 13, Romero 10, Tolentino 7, Grey 7, Bartolo 6, Deles 4, R. Lastimosa 4, Taha 2, Dela Paz 2, Carlos 2, Sinco 0, Garcia 0, Altamirano 0.
Quarters: 21-17, 29-36, 47-53, 68-68, 77-72
Third Game
SAN BEDA 63—Adeogun 16, Amer 14, dela Rosa 10, Armon 8, Koga 4, J. Pascual 4, Caram 2, Lim 2, K. Pascual 2, Ludovice 1, Bonsubre 0, Mendoza 0.
ATENEO 61—Slaughter 24, Ravena 10, Salva 6, Chua 6, Gonzaga 6, Tiongson 3, Sumalinog 2, Elorde 2, Erram 2.
Quarters: 8-20, 23-26, 39-48, 63-61