Warriors rout JRU Bombers

MANILA, Philippines - University of the East broke into the win column in the Filoil Flying Hanes Premier Cup as the defending champion Red Warriors hacked out a resounding 99-78 rout of Jose Rizal U yesterday at the Arena.

Refusing to get the axe from a Bombers squad that ambushed UAAP titlist La Salle last week, the Warriors pounded it on the inside and choked JRU’s outside shooters to set the tone for their first victory after a 0-2 start.

Holy Trinity College of General Santos City also got its breakthrough win, disposing of University of the Philippines, 94-85, in a fitting sendoff before bowing out of the summer tourney with 1-5.

Overshadowed was NCAA kingpin San Beda, which demolished Mapua, 80-68, to go 5-0 in Group B and clinch a quarterfinal berth.

“ It’s a work in progress and slowly but surely, they’re adapting to the system,” said UE coach Derrick Pumaren, who took over the helm last month. “Our target is really the UAAP but we cannot get used to losing.”

Bong Gallanza, who teamed up with Charles Mammie in a lethal third quarter run that gave them a 25-point cushion, paced the Warriors with 18 markers.

Mammie and Moustaph Arafat banged in 15 and 14, respectively, while combining for 13 rebounds and five blocks in a dominating performance at the paint. Gino Jumao-as and Roi Sumang chipped in 12 and 10, in that order.

Michael Mabulac shot 19 while Philip Paniamogan had 13 for the Heavy Bombers, who slipped to 3-2.

Sharing the limelight was Holy Trinity Wildcats who bowed out in style.

The Wildcats, who scrapped plans to field in actor Gerald Anderson in the game, stormed to a 26-8 lead in the first quarter, maintained control and quelled an uprising from the Maroons.

“Before we came over, we were 30-0 against Mindanao teams. Tapos dito wala kaming panalo. Sabi ko sa mga bata kahit maka-isa man lang bago umuwi (We wouldn’t want to go home from Manila without a win),” said HTC coach Pol Torrijos.

“Sa totoo lang, UP ang pinaghandaan namin. Pero pinaghirapan namin to (It was UP that we really prepared for here. But kidding aside, we worked hard for this),” said Meyland Landicho, in half-jest.

Landicho backstopped Edson Batiller’s game high 21 points with 18.

Meanwhile, Ola Adeogun (23 points, 12 rebounds) and Art dela Cruz (14-12) put up double-double performances as the Red Lions tied idle Far Eastern at the helm and booked a place in the quarterfinals.