LETRAN leaned on the explosive game of diminutive guard Mark Cruz while La Salle banked on big man Norbert Torres as both squads dumped separate opponents to grab a share of third place yesterday in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup.
The 5-foot-6 Cruz pumped in 27 points built on a 4-of-6 shooting clip from three-point range to lift the Knights past the Mapua Cardinals, 79-55, at the Filoil Flying V Arena.
La Salle also drew a big game from Torres, who shone with 20 points and eight rebounds in leading the Archers to a 75-67 triumph over the Perpetual Help Altas in the second game.
Both the Archers and the Knights rose to 4-2 behind San Beda (7-0) and Ateneo (6-1).
University of Santo Tomas also improved to 3-3 after nipping University of the East, 67-64.
La Salle coach Gee Abanilla said his players were still adjusting to the return of Yutien Andrada and LA Revilla from injuries.
The scores:
First Game
LETRAN 79—Cruz 27, Belorio 11, Lituania 9, Cortes 8, Almazan 6, Pantin 6, Racal 4, Luib 3, Gabawan 2, Buenaflor 2, Almario 1, Cudal 0, Publico 0.
MAPUA 55—Nimes 22, Brana 9, Estrella 6, Banal 5, Saitanan 4, Stevens 4, Chien 4, Ighalo 1, Abad 0, Magsigay 0.
Quarters: 16-14, 30-23, 62-43, 79-55
Second Game
LA SALLE 75—N. Torres 20, Teng 16, Tallo 12, Vosotros 6, Andrada 5, G. Reyes 5, Webb 3, Revilla 2, Mendoza 2, Dela Paz 2, Gotladera 2, T. Torres 0, M. Reyes 0.
PERPETUAL 67—Paulino 12, Vidal 11, Babayemi 10, Alano 10, Arboleda 9, Thompson 8, Elopre 5, Baloria 0, Jolangcob 0.
Quarters: 22-17, 36-41, 58-55, 75-67
Third Game
UST 67—Mariano 18, Abdul 13, Fortuna 9, Bautista 7, Ferrer 6, Lo, 5, Afuang 4, Teng 3, Vigil 2, Tan 0, Lao 0, Mamaril 0.
UE 64—Santos 15, Sumido 12, Sumang 11, Javier 8, Alberto 7, Flores 3, Valdez 2, Galanza 2, Razon 2, Hernandez 2, Villarias 0, Belleza 0, Duran 0, De Leon 0, Zosa 0, Duncil 0.
Quarters: 16-14, 32-35, 49-47, 67-64