Eagles repulse Bulldogs, leave for US today

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo kept its win run going before it flies to the United States today, beating National U, 66-57, for its fifth straight victory in the Filoil Flying V Pre-Season MVP Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Jai Reyes scattered 20 points while UAAP MVP l Rabeh Al-Hussaini added 17 points for the Eagles, who will undergo training in the US as part of their buildup for their UAAP title-retention campaign in July.

The Eagles overcame a shaky first half with a fluid offensive game in the third with Reyes hitting five treys to lead the charge. The Bulldogs slid to 0-3.

Jeff Moriel pumped in five of his 22 points in overtime as St. Benilde shocked Letran, 89-87, in the second game.

Moriel also came through with a putback to send the game into overtime as the Blazers, who snapped their two-game skid. The Knights took their third straight loss.

Earlier, Erwin Cornejo fired 17 points, including a key triple in the last two minutes, as Mapua repulsed Jose Rizal U, 65-62.

The Cardinals dominated the Heavy Bombers with their run-and-gun game in the second and third quarters but faltered in the fourth before recovering in time to fashion out the victory.

Cornejo sparked Mapua’s fiery 9-2 windup with a trey while Allan Mangahas, Gil Guillermo and Mark Acosta combined for six points to help the Cardinals score their second win in four games in Group A.

The Bombers, behind JM Wilson, earlier uncorked an 18-6 run to wrest the lead for JRU, 60-56, 2:58 left in the contest. – With report from contributor Celest Flores