University of Santo Tomas punched its ticket to the quarterfinals of the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup after fending off a gallant Gilas Pilipinas Boys squad, 99-90, Tuesday in San Juan.

Collins Akowe powered the Growling Tigers inside, scoring 18 points, including seven in a decisive 34-point second-quarter surge that built a 57-42 halftime cushion. He also grabbed nine rebounds as the España-based squad finished the eliminations with a 3-3 record.

Koji Buenaflor added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Kristian Porter chipped in 12 points and six rebounds off the bench in a dominant showing from the UST frontline.

“Of course. Siyempre, coming from Ateneo, new school, new environment, I have to pave a new path in my new home so that I belong and I can do what I used to do,” said Porter, a former juniors national team mainstay. “Kasi isang taon din wala sa akin eh, so parang naging anonymous din ako. Slowly but surely, nakukuha ko na rin.”

UST built a lead as large as 19 points at 61-42, but the Nationals mounted a late charge and trimmed the gap to four, 94-90, with 1:29 left.

Charles Bucsit, who finished with 11 points, ultimately put the game away with a clutch corner triple with 1:11 remaining.

“Siguro yung dulo yung composure, down the stretch, when I think down four na lang. But yung ayaw lang namin is yung nag-relax sila during most part of the game because, of course, credit din naman to the Gilas Youth team,” said Growling Tigers assistant coach Japs Cuan.

“They really played well today, and also a good job by their coaching staff, especially Coach Juno (Sauler). Medyo may familiarity naman sa mga players, kumbaga, down to the last play,” added the former UST point guard.

Bruce Tubongbanua led Gilas Youth with 24 points, highlighted by three triples, while Joaquin Tovera posted a triple-double-like outing of 21 points, 11 assists, five steals, and two rebounds. Chog Moral added 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists as the Nationals continue their buildup for the 2026 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship.

Meanwhile, Mapua pulled off a thrilling 64-62 upset over previously unbeaten Jose Rizal University after a buzzer-beating sequence from veteran forward Concepcion, who needed just 0.5 seconds to tip the ball off the glass off an inbound pass from Cyrus Nitura.

The Cardinals rallied from a 16-point second-half deficit to complete the comeback.

“At least nagawa namin na maayos, na-execute namin ng maayos yung last play. And this guy wanted the ball on that play,” said coach Chito Victolero of Concepcion, who finished with an all-around line of 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals.

MC Cuenco led Mapua with 14 points and three rebounds, while Basti Reyes added eight points and four boards as the Cardinals extended their winning run to three games and improved to 4-1.

Lawrence Mangubat paced JRU with 20 points, highlighted by a 9-of-11 clip from the free throw line, while Chris Hubilla posted 14 points, six rebounds, and five steals in his first matchup against his former school.

The Heavy Bombers suffered their first loss in seven games but still hold the top spot in the NCAA Group at 6-1.

Emilio Aguinaldo College also kept its late-season surge going with a 95-81 win over San Sebastian.

Jacob Shanoda was perfect from the field, going 6-of-6 for 18 points, while Jude Bagay also scored 18 and added three assists as they sparked a third-quarter breakaway that turned a 49-47 halftime deficit into an 82-58 lead.

MJ Raymundo added 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists for EAC, which stretched its winning streak to three and improved to 4-3.

Neil Castor led the Golden Stags (0-6) with 18 points in the loss.

Perpetual also held off a gritty challenge from Lyceum of the Philippines University, 68-64, to secure back-to-back victories.

Allen Maglupay and JM Tulabut each scored 10 points for the Altas, who improved to 3-4.

Renz Villegas carried the Pirates with 23 points and five assists, but Lyceum dropped its second straight game to fall to 2-7.

The Scores:

First Game:
Emilio Aguinaldo 95 – Shanoda 18, Bagay 18, M. Raymundo 13, Ochavo 10, Oftana 10, Castillo 9, H. Raymundo 6, Nunag 5, Coronel 5, Sealey 1, Bonus 0, Lanceta 0, Baniqued 0.
San Sebastian 81 – Castor 18, Bacani 11, Alforque 11, Ricio 10, Segovia 9, Acosta 6, Muktimar 5, Gabat 5, Ynot 2, Kitane 2, Villanueva 2, Cuya 0, Salvo 0, Barroga 0, Suico 0.
Quarterscores: 21-24, 49-47, 82-58, 95-81.

Second Game:
Perpetual Help 68 – Tulabut 10, Maglupay 10, Gojo Cruz 8, Baldoria 8, Casinillo 7, Borja 5, Corpuz 5, Orgo 4, Pagulayan 4, Montemayor 4, Gelsano 2, Roluna 1, Magdangan 0, Duremdes 0, De Guzman 0.
Lyceum 64 – Villegas 23, Aviles 11, Peñafiel 7, Almario 6, Manuel 6, Aurigue 4, Rubico 3, Daileg 2, Fuentes 2, Cardinas 0, Pallingayan 0, Gordon 0, Panelo 0, Caduyac 0.
Quarterscores: 12-15, 30-25, 45-43, 68-64.

Third Game:
UST 99 – Akowe 18, Buenaflor 14, Porter 12, Bucsit 11, Cañete 10, Danting 9, Mara 6, Acido 6, Manding 4, Calum 4, Alao 3, Crisostomo 2, Esteban 0.
Gilas Boys 90 – Tubongbanua 24, Tovera 21, Moral 15, Chio 12, Lacson 7, Pasinos 6, Arsic 5, Espinas 0, Braga 0.
Quarterscores: 23-25, 57-42, 76-68, 99-90.

Fourth Game:
Mapua 64 – Cuenco 14, Concepcion 13, S. Reyes 8, M. Nitura 7, L. Nitura 5, F. Reyes 5, Diaz 3, LAzarte 3, Igliane 2, Callangan 2, Ryan 2, Pascual 0.
Jose Rizal 62 – Mangubat 20, Hubilla 14, Salvador 9, Garupil 6, Garcia 4, Duque 4, Herrera 3, Laurenaria 1, Bagro 1, Panapanaan 0, Eligado 0, Palis 0, Masiglat 0.
Quarterscores: 22-20, 31-43, 49-56, 64-62.

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