Jake Figueroa powers NU past Benilde in OT for Filoil semis slot; Letran, FEU inch closer to QFs

Jake Figueroa powered defending champions National University past De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in overtime, 88-72, in the quarterfinals of the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Wednesday in San Juan.

Figueroa had 16 points, five of which were registered in overtime, to give the Bulldogs the first semifinals slot in the preseason league.

It was also Figueroa who drilled the game-tying triple with two ticks left in the fourth period to push the game into extra period where the Blazers were held scoreless.

"Ito 'yung mga kailangan nilang pagdaanan na masusubukan 'yung character ng team. We were down, so paano namin babawiin," said NU head coach Jeff Napa. "Kahit napakasama ng laro namin, we had to find ways to win."

("These kinds of games are what the players need to test their character. We were down so we needed to figure out how to win. Even though our game was bad, we had to find ways to win.")

Steve Nash Enriquez posted 21 points while Omar John had 16 points as NU missed Kean Baclaan's services due to flu.

Felipe Marasigan had 12 points while Migs Oczon finished with 11 points in the Benilde loss. Prince Carlos posted 10 points and seven assists, while Michael Mara chipped in 10 points of his own.

Earlier, Colegio de San Juan de Letran inched closer to a slot in the quarterfinals as they took down Guang Ming College, 85-73.

Veteran Kurt Reyson logged 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Kobe Monje had 18 points in the Letran win.

Far Eastern University, on the other hand, dismantled Jose Maria College, 96-65.

Letran and GMC will face off at 10 a.m. on Thursday, while FEU vs. JMC will be played at 2 p.m. to determine who will take their respective groups' final quarters berth. Lyceum of the Philippines University and University of the Philippines will go against each other at 4 p.m. for a slot in the semifinals.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News