MANILA, Philippines – UAAP champion Ateneo had another scrambling performance, barely escaping with a 77-76 win over Jose Rizal U in the Filoil-Flying V Pre-Season MVP Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan yesterday.
Guard Eric Salamat came through with 17 points while Nonoy Baclao and Justin Chua added 11 apiece for the Eagles who survived the Heavy Bombers’ endgame charge, notching a second straight win following a 76-65 drubbing of the St. Benilde Blazers Wednesday.
“The UAAP is still two months away. We still have time to improve,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black.
Earlier, University of Perpetual Help-Dalta System turned back Letran, 76-72, for its first win in the tourney.
Jeorge Michael Sicat, Raffy Ynion and Jason Salvado scored crucial shots at endgame, helping the Altas barge into the win-column in Group B play of the three-month tournament backed by Adidas, Total Phils., Inc., SMART Sports, CDO, Pioneer Insurance, Astaro/Karspersky, Douwe Egberts, Brothers Burger, Shell, Gourmet Coffee, Cecon/Surbex, Kolin/Syntax, The Philippine STAR, Standard Chartered, DMCI Homes, Jaycees, V-Star, V-8, Tamayo’s Restaurant, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Insular, Channel V and Makisig Channel, the league’s official television coveror.
Sicat knotted the count at 72, before Ynion and Salvado scored the baskets that won the game for Perpetual Help.
Letran missed the services of Rey Guevarra and RJ Jazul, who are with the RP developmental pool, training in Las Vegas.
“My players simply gave their best out there,” said Perpetual Help coach Boris Aldeguer.
Ynion put in 17 points to pace the Altas who drew 14 from Salvado. Kevin Alas had 20 for the Knights.
The Altas led by seven, 51-44, at the close of the third quarter, but the Knights uncorked a 10-0 run to grab the lead at 54-51. - With reports from Celest Flores
The scores:
First Game
Perpetual Help 76 — Ynion 17, Salanga 16, Salvado 14, Elopre 10, Vivero 7, Silat 4, Liaz 3, Carullo 3, Rono 2, Villados 0, Hainga 0.
Letran 72 — Alas 20, Belencion 16, Gutilban 16, Cortez 9, Foronda 5, Balabago 4, Alas 2, del Rosario 0, Datang 0, Roguel 0, Taplah 0.
Quarterscores: 13-11, 29-33, 51-44, 76-72
Second Game:
Ateneo 77 — Salamat 17, Baclao 13, Al-Hussaini 12, Chua 11, Reyes 7, Gonzaga 6, De Chavez 4, Sumalinog 3, Tiongson 2, Austria 0, Baldos 0.
JRU 76 — Cagoco 19, Sena 16, Hayes 11, Bulangis 6, Matute 6, Njei 5, Wilson 5, Kabigting 4, Apinan 2, Pacheco 2.
Quarterscores: 15-13, 33-37, 58-52, 77-76