Tams shake off Saints, stretch run in Filoil Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U quashed a furious fightback from upset-conscious St. Clare to escape with an 86-82 win and stretch its streak to five in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena yesterday.

The Tams blew a 17-point cushion and found themselves in a precarious situation, holding only a 79-78 lead against the Saints, but got bailed out by Achi Iñigo and Mark Belo to keep their clean slate in Group B .

Iñigo hit a jumper and Belo fired a shot-clock beating three-pointer off the glass as the Tams escaped humiliation.

“Ito yung mga games na kailangan namin (We need these kinds of games). “It wouldn’t help us if we won by 20 points,” said FEU coach Nash Racela, who gave his bench more exposure in this match.

Anthony Hargrove led FEU’s scoring attack with 16 points while Belo and Iñigo added 15 and 11, respectively.

Jason Ibay and Colly Bolos topscored with 18 and 16, respectively, for the Saints, who dropped to 1-3.

Rodrigue Ebondo had a monster effort of 21 points, 19 rebounds and five blocks as Centro Escolar kept its winning ways over in Group C with a 74-61 demolition of Holy Trinity College.

Rodrigue Ebondo banged in 21 points and 19 rebounds while recording five blocks. Joseph Sedurifa complemented Ebondo with 17 points and Alfred Batino chipped in 16 as the Scorpions stormed to their fourth consecutive win.

The Wildcats (0-5) were led by Edson Batiller (15) and Chris Masaglang (14).

National U cranked it up in the payoff period to clobber San Sebastian, 76-61, for a 2-0 record.

Fuelled by the solid defending of Glen Khobuntin and rookie Rev Diputado, the Bulldogs detonated a 10-2 blast in the fourth to establish control, 63-55, and never eased up from there.

Alfred Aroga shot 16 points plus six rebounds and two blocks while Khobuntin accounted for 13 markers and nine boards in leading NU to victory.

The scores:

First Game:

FEU 86 – Hargrove 16, Belo 15, Iñigo 10, Tolomia 9, Pogoy 9, Jose 8, Cruz 7, Escoto 4, Tamsi 3, Dennison 3, David 2, Lee Yu 0, Delfinado 0, Ugsang 0, Belga 0.

SCC 82 – Ibay 18, Bolos 16, Ibarra 13, Fabien 12, Gil 11, Acebron 7, Jamito 2, Managuelod 2, Lunor 1, Amboludto 0.

Quarterscores: 25-19, 43-35, 64-55, 86-82

Second Game:

CEU 74 – Evondo 21, Sedurifa 17, Batino 16, Jeruta 8, Abundo 4, Mutonbo 4, Amil 4, Opiso 0, Casiño 0, De Leon 0, Anunciacion 0, Banua 0, Tuazon 0, Vargas 0.

HTC 61 – Batiller 15, Masaglang 14, Landicho 11, Yusop 9, Polistico 6,, Roxas 2, Pragados 2, Pepito 2, Mahaling 0, Etoundi 0, Desaville 0, Lape 0.

Quarterscores: 20-15, 48-36, 58-48, 74-61

Third Game:

NU 76 – Aroga 16, Khobuntin 13, Celda 12, Rosario 8, Javelona 7, Betayene 7, Dioutado 3, Alolino 2, Tansingco 2, Alejandro 2, Yu 2, Perez 2, Salim 0, Neypes 0, Atangan 0.

SSC-R 61 – Calisaan 15, Perez 10, Guinto 9, Camasura 7, Fabian 6, Yong 6, Aquino 4, Costelo 4, Tano 0, Mamaril 0, Santos 0, Vergara 0.

Quarterscores: 17-17, 34-28, 53-53, 76-61