At A Glance
- The University of the Philippines and National University secured their semifinal berths after beating their respective rivals in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive on Friday, July 11, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
UP's Gerry Abadiano (FilOil Sports/File photo)
The University of the Philippines and National University secured their semifinal berths after beating their respective rivals in the PlayTime Cares 18th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive on Friday, July 11, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Fighting Maroons weathered a late-game surge from Saint Benilde before escaping with an 82-80 win.
Gerry Abadiano powered UP with 24 points, five rebounds, and two assists, while Jalen Steven contributed 12 points.
Harold Alarcon and Francis Nnoruk, meanwhile, added 11 apiece to keep UP's three-peat bid alive.
Allen Liwag and Winston Ynot, who spearheaded Benilde’s late-game rally with a 7-0 run, finished with 22 and 10 points, respectively.
National University also escaped Letran, 79-77, after the Knights nearly pulled off a comeback in the closing minutes.
Jake Figueroa, who finished with 21 points, delivered a clutch free throw and came up with a game-saving steal in the final three seconds to deny the Knights from getting a chance to win.
Vince Cuajao delivered 14 points for Letran, including a clutch step-back three-pointer in the final eight seconds that trimmed the deficit to 77-78.
Both UP and NU advanced to the semifinal round set on Sunday, July 13, at the PlayTime Filoil Centre in San Juan. (ANGELO CAPARAS/INTERN)