Falcons soar past Saints; Altas fend off Cards

MANILA, Philippines — Adamson University and University of Perpetual Help got off to strong starts in the 2023 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup following well-earned wins yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Joem Sabandal spearheaded the charge for the Jerom Lastimosa and Nash Racela-less Soaring Falcons in their 75-64 rout of St. Clare College.

The fourth-year guard scored 19 points, five coming in a 17-3 second-quarter spurt that erased the Saints’ eight-point lead. St. Clare regained a one-point edge early in the third before Sabandal fired 10 points to detonate a 20-4 blast for a 55-40 Adamson advantage.

“Actually, si Joem ang stabilizer namin sa loob. We want that consistency from him moving forward,” said acting coach Gilbert Lao.

The Soaring Falcons maintained the double-digit lead until the final buzzer to overcome the absences of Lastimosa, on Gilas Pilipinas duty, and Racela, on a recruitment trip in the United States, for their first win in Group 2 of the premiere preseason tournament supported by Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Akari, Reyes BBQ, BDO, Kalos Sportswear and Molten.

Vince Magbuhos backstopped Sabandal with a 12-point, 10-assist double-double, while Cedrick Manzano contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.

On the other hand, the Altas weathered a late storm by Clint Escamis and Mapua University for a 69-67 decision.