MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion University of the East leaned on its veterans to carry the fight and hand De La Salle its third straight loss, scoring a 74-63 win in yesterday’s featured match in the 2009 Filoil Flying V Pre-Season MVP Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena.
James Martinez, Elmer Espiritu and Paul Lee all finished in double figures, as the Warriors didn’t allow the Green Archers to regroup after taking the half, 43-38, en route to their fifth win in six games for a share of second spot in Group A.
Jimbo Aquino and Pamboy Raymundo canned in two charities each at endgame as San Sebastian College held off St. Benilde, 71-66, at the close of its elims campaign in the second game.
The Stags failed to shake off the Blazers, who fought back in the third quarter, but Aquino and Raymundo came through with those clutch charities to give San Sebastian its sixth win in seven games.
The Stags thus finished tied with the Adamson Falcons in Group A heading into the quarterfinal round beginning Saturday. The Blazers wound up with a 2-5 slate.
In another match, Magi Sison fired 19 points as Univ. of the Phils. dumped National U, 72-47, to finish with a 2-5 card.