By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of the Philippine and De La Salle forged what is expected to become an epic finals duel after taking down their respective foes in the semifinals of the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup in San Juan on Monday, June 19.
*UP Fighting Maroons. (FilOil EcoOil Sports' Facebook post)*
The Fighting Maroons, already having their best performance in the tournament, put themselves in the position to win its maiden title after mauling University of Perpetual Help Altas, 104-69. The Green Archers, on the other hand, tamed defending champions National University Bulldogs, 86-73 to, likewise, march into the finale set on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the same venue. JD Cagulangan starred for UP, dropping 15 points – 10 of which came during a massive 30-6 run in the second frame that all but broke the back of Perpetual. The Fighting Maroons established a commanding 56-33 lead at the break and never looked back since then. La Salle, meanwhile, leaned on the double-double effort of big man Kevin Quiambao to outclass NU in the second game. Quiambao, who finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, set the tone for the Archers, anchoring a 14-0 spurt to wrest full control of the contest after erecting a 20-9 lead late in the opening frame. La Salle would eventually cruise to the victory as the lead ballooned to as many as 27 points behind stellar showings from Mark Nonoy and Evan Nelle. Nonoy finished with 14 points and four steals while Nelle wound up with an all-around game of nine points, seven rebounds and four assists.
University of the Philippine and De La Salle forged what is expected to become an epic finals duel after taking down their respective foes in the semifinals of the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup in San Juan on Monday, June 19.
*UP Fighting Maroons. (FilOil EcoOil Sports' Facebook post)*
The Fighting Maroons, already having their best performance in the tournament, put themselves in the position to win its maiden title after mauling University of Perpetual Help Altas, 104-69. The Green Archers, on the other hand, tamed defending champions National University Bulldogs, 86-73 to, likewise, march into the finale set on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the same venue. JD Cagulangan starred for UP, dropping 15 points – 10 of which came during a massive 30-6 run in the second frame that all but broke the back of Perpetual. The Fighting Maroons established a commanding 56-33 lead at the break and never looked back since then. La Salle, meanwhile, leaned on the double-double effort of big man Kevin Quiambao to outclass NU in the second game. Quiambao, who finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, set the tone for the Archers, anchoring a 14-0 spurt to wrest full control of the contest after erecting a 20-9 lead late in the opening frame. La Salle would eventually cruise to the victory as the lead ballooned to as many as 27 points behind stellar showings from Mark Nonoy and Evan Nelle. Nonoy finished with 14 points and four steals while Nelle wound up with an all-around game of nine points, seven rebounds and four assists.