UP opens Filoil preseason title defense with win over La Salle
UP Fighting Maroons’ JD Cagulangan against La Salle’ Green Archers’ Michael Philipps in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup. –FILOIL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—University of the Philippines exacted revenge over La Salle to open their Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup title retention bid at San Juan Arena on Saturday.
The last time the Fighting Maroons and the Green Archers squared up was in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 86 Finals where La Salle took home the crown behind the efforts of league MVP Kevin Quiambao.
This time, though, the tandem of JD Cagulangan and Francis Lopez joined forces to take down their Finals rival on the opening day of the collegiate basketball preseason.
READ: Filoil preseason opens with blockbuster teams from NCAA, UAAP
“We were very excited because we faced La Salle right away and for me, this is our big game. Thankfully all members of the team responded well,” said Cagulangan.
Cagulangan scored 19 while Lopez finished with 16 points, all to back up the efforts of foreign student athlete Dikachi Udodo, who finished with six points and 10 rebounds.
Quiambao’s outing of 15 points and nine rebounds was all for naught.
San Beda’s AJ Royo in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup. –FILOIL PHOTO
Meanwhile, in a rivalry match between San Beda and Letran, the Red Lions got the best of the Knights with a 76-69 victory.
Josh Tagala waxed hot from deep with six buckets from beyond the arc to finish with 20 points for the Mendiola win.
Jimboy Estrada registered 16 points in the Letran loss while Kobe Monje also scored 14 but to no avail.
Mapua defeated Lyceum, 75-67, behind the efforts of newcomer Chris Hubilla.
Hubilla tallied 17 points, five assists, and three rebounds to give NCAA Season 99 MVP Clint Escamis an easy day with eight points but still went out with the dub.
JM Bravo was the main man in the Lyceum loss as he stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists.
In the other game, University of Perpetual Help outlasted Jose Rizal University, 91-89, in double-overtime with Chris Pagaran powering through for the Altas with 23 points.
University of the East then zoomed past Adamson, 65-57, thanks to Precious Momowe’s double-double effort of 16 points and 14 rebounds.
