Maroons give Archers shocker in Filoil Cup

MANILA, Philippines - University of the Philippines recovered from a slow start and unleashed a strong finishing kick to shock fancied La Salle, 68-61, in the Filoil Flying V Tanduay First Five Pre-Season Invitational Cup at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Mike Silungan, a 6-4 Fil-Am guard from Chicago, came away with 12 points while Woody Co added 11 for the Fighting Maroons, who posted the tournament’s first major reversal to level their card at 1-1 while dealing the Archers their first loss after back-to-back victories.

It was a hard ballgame in the second quarter tied at 31 but the UP burst into 6-0 run in 1:36 margin and put up a lead of 40-37 at the end of the first half. Diliman based squad overwhelmed DLSU with its solid defensive effort and its rebounding power.

“We gave up 12 points in the first four minutes of the first quarter. But after that we really wanted to put up a solid defensive pressure,” said UP coach Aboy Castro, whose wards overcame a five-point deficit in the first quarter before seizing control in the next and sustaining their form in the second half.

The Maroons’ defense truly baffled the Archers with no one scoring in double figures. Gabriel Banal topscored with nine points while Martin Reyes and Joshua Webb had eight and six points, respectively.

The Maroons, who grabbed the lead at the turn, 40-37, kept the pressure in the third quarter and held a nine-point lead, 55-46, heading into the final quarter.

“We still have to take care of the ball as we turned the ball over 26 times in this game,” said Castro.

Anticipating La Salle’s full court press, the Maroons used their quickness to wiggle out of the Archers’ trapping defense then went on to outscore the Taft-based squad for the inspiring win.

“I liked our defense and we had a very decent 53 percent shooting clip from the field today. I think it was a factor why we won this game.” Castro said.

Despite the loss, La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren said he is looking forward to facing Ateneo on Saturday. – With report from Koji Lorenzo Echeminada