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FilOil: UP routs Emilio Aguinaldo College late for three-way tie in group
By AARON VALDEZ
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Kyles Lao (white) goes up for a floater. KC Cruz
The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons capped off the FilOil Flying V-Hanes Premier Cup with a win as they trounced the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 72-59, on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
State U prevailed in the final quarter, outscoring their foes 24-12 in a game which saw them controlling the tempo despite their small line-up. Playing without injured center Noube Happi, the Generals suffered from a bad shooting night, as they registered a dismal 35 percent field goal shooting clip, converting only 25-of-72 shots.
“We’re developing a small-ball game, ang liliit namin eh,” said UP coach Rey Madrid. “We get to neutralize it [their height disadvatange] with much effort, play, and pace.
“It’s coming to form, slowly. It’s a long-term plan and it should be coming along just about now. Lagi kaming talo sa EAC by one point, two points, and it’s a big improvement that we have finally overcome that hurdle.”
The win marks UP's second victory in the Premier Cup (2-4), avoiding sinking to the bottom of the barrel as they placed fifth, tied with the San Sebastian College Golden Stags, who sport the same record at 2-4. EAC also caps off the preseason with a 2-4 slate but place lower than the Maroons at sixth because of today's game.
Rookie Gelo Vito scored 15 points and hauled down seven rebounds to lead four other Maroons in double figures. Dave Moralde pitched in with 12 points and five rebounds while Henry Asilum tallied 11 points, five boards and four dimes. Kyles Lao chimed in with 10 of his own while Mark Juruena crashed the boards, pulling down 22 rebounds for his side.
Group C's bottom-feeders started strong, as the team played its veteran starters as they held a 9-7 advantage before EAC head coach Gerry Esplana pressed for time. EAC's shooters found their range as Jan Jamon and Jerald Serrano hit consecutive long bombs to give them a six-point advantage while the Maroons struggled to find their shot. The scoreboard read 17-11 in favor of EAC at the end of the first canto.
The Maroons went on a 13-2 run to open the second quarter, raking in seven points from Mikee Reyes in that stretch as they snared the lead, 24-19. EAC struggled with their ball movement, losing out on dead ball possessions to UP's slew of pesky guards. State U upped their lead to 10 points following consecutive fast break baskets from Dave Moralde, but Sidney Onwubere hit a buzzer-beating three to close within seven at the half, 33-26.
By the break, Reyes fired for seven, while Moralde chipped in with six. Slotman Mark Juruena had 11 rebounds at the half. The Maroons matched EAC's effort in the rebounding department, 25-25.
Serrano dropped nine markers at the half while Onwubere logged five points and nine boards.
UP pushed the lead to eight points after Kyles Lao converted an and-one play, 38-30. The teams had trouble putting points across the board as the Maroons missed easy fast break opportunities and freebies from the stripe while Jan Jamon kept bricking easy jumpers even with 5'8" Diego Dario checking him. The Generals ended the third frame with a 6-3 scoring advantage as they breathed down the Maroons' necks, trailing by just a point, 48-47
Remy Morada scored on a lay-up to swing the lead EAC’s way, 49-48, but the Maroons stormed out on the break to create a 10-2 surge, 58-49. The game started looking like a rout as even UP's big men started cashing in on jumpers, with the Maroons leading by as much as 18 points, 69-51. The Generals' shooting woes continued as UP went back home with the W, 72-59.
Ariel Aguilar scored 11 in a losing cause, while Jamon and Serrano had 10 apiece. Jamon made only 5-of-18 shots, missing all eight of his attempts from downtown. The Generals converted only five triples out of 26 tries.
“Fearless forecast ko, di kami cellar ngayon [sa UAAP],” Madrid said, looking ahead to his league’s tournament. “Ang goal is to win more than three games...anything more than that, baka may motorcade na. We’re the incumbent eighth placers.”
He also dropped some hints regarding his squad's lineup, teasing Maroons fans, "Wala kaming tinatago but there are some developments that might jumble up my line-up, in terms of eligibility.” - AMD, GMA News
The scores:
UP - Vito 15, Moralde 12, Asilum 11, Lao 10, Reyes 7, Gallarza 6, Juruena 5, Harris 4, Dario 2, Gamboa 0, Gonzales 0
EAC - Aguilar 11, Serrano 10, Jamon 10, Onwubere 9, Santos 6, Saludo 5, Morada 4, Arquero 2, King 2, Pascual 0, Mejos 0, Indin 0
Quarter scoring: 11-17, 26-33, 48-47, 72-59
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