Unbeaten Warriors claim 4th win

MANILA, Philippines – University of the East went to its veterans when its rookie crew faltered in the early going, scoring a lopsided 89-72 victory over University of Perpetual Help-Dalta System yesterday to remain unscathed in the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season MVP Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

The Warriors found themselves trailing by as many as 11 points as the Altas’ starters outplayed and outgunned their rookie counterparts in the first two quarters.

But UE coach Lawrence Chongson quickly called on his mainstays, led by Elmer Espiritu, who responded with a 10-0 blitz as the Recto-based cagers closed to within, 29-30, midway in the second period.

Val Acuna, Narciso Llagas and Rudy Lingganay later joined in the UE attack and the Warriors seized the lead for good at the close of the third at 65-53 en route to the victory.

It was the defending champions’ fourth straight win as they grabbed the lead in Group A while dealing the Altas their third loss in four games in Group B in the tournament backed by Adidas, Total Phils., Inc., Smart Sports, CDO, Pioneer Insurance, The Philippine STAR, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Filoil, Flying V, Astaro/Karspersky, Douwe Egberts, Brothers Burger, Shell, Gourmet Coffee, Cecon/Surbex, Kolin/Syntax, Standard Chartered, DMCI Homes, Jaycees, V-Star, V-8, Tamayo’s Restaurant, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), Molten, the official ball, Insular, Channel V and Makisig Channel, the league’s official television coveror.

Far Eastern U used a big third-quarter run to easily put away Letran, 75-56, and clinch its second win in four games.