MANILA, Philippines – University of the East rolled past St. Benilde, 75-54, to notch its third straight win in the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season MVP Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan yesterday.
Paul Lee fired 15 points and while three other Warriors churned out double-digit scores as the Recto-based squad imposed its will in the second quarter to dominate the Blazers and tie the San Sebastian Stags in the lead.
Rudy Lingganay had 12 points, Hezy Val Acuna chipped in 11 while Narciso Llagas added 10 for the defending champion Warriors, who posted their biggest lead at 31, 60-29, early in the third quarter.
St. Benilde dropped to 0-2.
The Warriors led by only one, 14-13, in the first quarter, but clamped down on defense in the next three quarters to frustrate the Blazers and let their offense took its course for the rout.
The Warriors held the Blazers to only six points in the third quarter and pulled away with a whopping 31-point lead on a three pointer by Lee at the 1:19 mark of the period.
No Blazer scored in double figures with Robbie Manalac pacing the team with nine points and Ian dela Paz adding eight.
The scores:
First Game
UE 75 – Lee 15, Ligganay 12, Acuna 11, Llagas 10, Espiritu 8, Bandaying 7, Martinez 6, Tagarada 3, Duran 2, Sumido 1, Noble 0, Reyes 0, Zamar 0, Pelopero 0.
St. Beniilde 54 – Manalac 9, Dela Paz 8, Abolucion 6, Dalanon 6, Lastimosa 6, De Guzman 5, Morial 5, Sia 4, Manlapaz 2, Wong 2, Musngi 1 , Argamino 0, Tajonera 0, Tan, Umlas 0.
Quarterscores: 14-13, 33-25, 61-31, 75-54