MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal University went through a wringer before hurdling the RP Youth team, 78-72, while Ateneo walloped Emilio Aguinaldo College, 102-95, in the Filoil Flying V Tanduay First Five Pre-Season Invitational Cup at the Flying V Arena in San Juan yesterday.
Nchotu John Njei and Raycon Kabigting combined for 32 points for the Heavy Bombers who needed to work hard to survive the RP young men’s tough challenge.
Ateneo, meanwhile, built huge double-digit spreads early on and just went through the motion in the final quarter in an easy win over EAC in this tournament presented by Mighty Bond Extreme with support from Total Phils. Corp., San Marino Corned Tuna, Accel, Filoil Gas Company, Flying V and Hanes brands, the official outfitter.
The Heavy Bombers nailed their fourth win in five games in Group B while the Eagles notched their sixth win against a lone defeat in Group A.
Nico Salva led the Blue Eagles with 17 points, while Eman Monfort and Kirk Long had 16 each.
“We’re not playing well defensively right now but I think we have enough time to fix things before the UAAP,” said Ateneo coach Norman Black. “We’ll work on that as we train in the US for three weeks.”
Later on, San Sebastian College defeated National University, 72-65, after an embarrassing loss to the RP youth U-18.
Carl Abueva, who had four crucial points in the fourth quarter, led the Stags with 13, with Jonathan Semira adding 14.