Maroons buck Generals minus injured Silungan

MANILA, Philippines - University of the Philippines pulled through despite Mike Silungan’s early exit due to injury yesterday, holding off Emilio Aguinaldo College, 63-61, to remain in contention in the 2011 Filoil Flying V Hanes Pre-Season Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan City.

Nigerian Alinko Mbah, Mike Gamboa and Jett Manuel scored at least 13 points as they stepped up their game after Silungan’s ouster, leading the Maroons to a third win against two losses. The Generals fell to 1-4.

Silungan, who averages more than 20 points an outing, tweaked his left ankle midway in the third quarter and sat out the rest of the game. He made three triples and added five rebounds and four assists.

“This is really a Mike Silungan team but when he went down with a sprain, the other guys showed what they can do. I’m happy with what I saw,” said new UP coach Ricky Dandan.

The lean, long-limbed and high-leaping Mbah, who has been with the team for nearly three years now fulfilling residency requirements, scored four of his team’s last five points including a floater that gave them a three-point cushion in the stretch.

He wound up with 16 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and one steal.

“I’ve seen him progress and he would be an important part of our campaign this coming UAAP season,” said Dandan.

EAC, who also features a pair of African players and an African assistant coach in Romeo Fotu, had chances to turn things around but couldn’t go on.

An errant inbound by Franz Chiong to Claude Cubo allowed UP to regain possession and eventually escape with the win.

In the second game, Mapua overpowered Letran, 80-62, to likewise enhance its bid.