NU Bulldogs’ Kean Baclaan. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Kean Baclaan lifted National University from a forgettable first half to an 82-79 victory over St. Clare, 82-79, in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup at San Juan Arena on Sunday.
After being down by 21, the Bulldogs went on a late fourth quarter surge capped off by a Baclaan game-winner with 13 ticks to go in the game to improve to a 5-2 card.
“I just want to be able to show something. I keep telling myself, I’ll bounce back; it may not be on defense but I’ll do it on offense,” the shifty guard said after tallying 19 points.
Ahron Estacio led all St. Clare scorers with 17 points while Megan Galang and JohnSherick Estrada gathered 16 each in the loss that puts the Saints at a 4-3 card.
KEAN FOR THE WIN
WATCH: With the score tied at 79-all, Kean Baclaan sank the game-winning triple to get the 82-79 dub over St. Clare in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/UCDyW8cavo
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) June 4, 2023
Far Eastern University, meanwhile, outlasted Centro Escolar University, 79-70, behind Patrick Sleat’s all-around game.
Sleat spearheaded the Tamaraws (5-3) with 16 points, five assists, four rebounds and a steal. Cholo Añonuevo helped the cause with 12 to his name.
Ayodeji Balogun’s double-double performance of 18 markers and 14 boards was put to waste as the Scorpions came crashing down to 1-7.
JRU new recruit Shawn Argente. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Jose Rizal University, on the other hand, downed NCAA rival College of St. Benilde, 81-68, behind the squad’s hot-shooting from beyond the arc.
The now-2-4 squad sank 12 buckets from beyond the arc with four of them coming from Shawn Argente, who finished with 12 markers.
The Blazers (5-3), meanwhile, could not rely on Migs Oczon, who finished with 15 points but shot a lowly 30 percent shooting clip (4-of-13).
Adamson rookie Matthew Montebon. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Adamson, however, had the biggest shocker of the day after stunning Ateneo, 61-60, effectively bouncing the Blue Eagles out of their preseason championship bid,
With a 0-5 record, Ateneo will not be able to reach the semifinals despite sweeping its last game,
Matthew Montebon tallied 13 points but none was bigger than his buzzer-beating triple to lift the Soaring Falcons up from a 60-58 predicament and improve to a 4-4 record.
Kai Ballungay registered 13 markers, himself, to go along with five rebounds in a losing effort.