La Salle's Kean Baclaan tries a shot against former NU teammate Steve Nash Enriquez in the 18th Filoil Preseason Cup on Wednesday. Photo from FilOil Preseason Cup Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – Kean Baclaan did not hold back against his former school, leading the way for De La Salle University's drubbing of National University, 69-64, in the 18th Filoil Preseason Cup on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Baclaan dropped 18 points, two rebounds, and three assists, including the game-sealing free throws to keep the Green Archers unscathed in the preseason competition.
Jacob Cortez had already delivered 11 points and three rebounds before exiting the game due to an unsportsmanlike foul and technical foul in the physically-intense third canto.
The said quarter saw an fiery battle among the two UAAP squads as tensions flared, highlighted by the elder Cortez's ejection and a technical foul on coach Topex Robinson.
The other Cortez in the La Salle squad, Mikey, scored all of his five points — a euro-step layup and a trey — in the closing moments to help put away the gritty Bulldogs side for a 66-61 separation.
Jolo Manansala would still drain a trey, 67-64, two ticks left on the clock, but Baclaan was there to gift his new team its third straight win off the 15-foot-line.
READ: FilOil: Kean Baclaan meets old running partners as La Salle faces National U
Meanwhile, Jose Rizal University has scored its biggest win by far in the preseason tilt, stunning San Beda in overtime, 75-74.
Down eight points in the last three minutes of regulation, JRU, led by Rookie Sean Salvador, stormed back by erasing that deficit to force an extended period.
They got the job done in overtime, as Shawn Argente allowed the Heavy Bombers to keep them at bay for good via the foul line.
READ: FilOil: Racela urging Erolon, Falcons to embrace leadership role after exit of vets
Salvador concluded with 25 points, six coming from two treys that powered JRU's 8-0 run to end the regulation.
Meanwhile, Arellano escaped Lyceum, 78-76, for its third straight triumph.
CJ Libang listed 11 points and six rebounds, while T-Mc Ongotan, Maverick Vinoya, and Dre Miller registered 10 apiece.
The Scores:
First Game
JRU 75 - Salvador 25, Garupil 14, Argente 12, Duque 11, Laurenaria 6, Castillo 2, Penaverde 2, Herrera 2, Benitez 1, Lozano 0, Pangilinan 0, Canoza 0, Catapang 0, Esguerra 0
SAN BEDA 74 - Puno 23, Calimag RC 11, Andrada 10, Lina 9, Estacio 9, Culdora 7, Songcuya 3, Vailoces 2, Jamora 0, Jalbuena 0, Mina 0, Tolentino 0, Medroso 0
Quarters: 18-25, 32-42, 49-56, 66-66, 75-74
Second Game
ARELLANO 78 - Libang 11, Vinoya 10, Ongotan 10, Miller 10, Borromeo 8, Cabotaje 7, Valencia 6, Geronimo 5, Abiera 5, Hernal 4, Demetria 2, Espiritu 0, Buenaventura 0, Langit 0, Anama 0, Flores 0
LYCEUM 76 - Montano 19, Penafiel 14, Barba 14, Versoza 8, Moralejo 7, Casino 5, Daileg 4, Matienzo 3, Villegas 2, Panelo 0, Aviles 0, Paulo 0
Quarters: 27-21, 42-42, 65-59, 78-76
Third Game
LA SALLE 69 - Baclaan 18, Cortez J 11, Amos M 10, Abadam 7, Phillips 6, Cortez M 5, Melencio 4, Macalalag 3, Marasigan 3, Dungo 2, Nawankwo 0, Amos C 0
NATIONAL U 64 - Tulabut 11, Figueroa 11, Manansala 10, Enriquez 9, Jumamoy 8, Santiago 5, Palacielo 4, Francisco 3, Parks 3, Padrones 0, Dela Cruz 0, Alfanta 0, Navarro 0, Reyes 0
Quarters: 16-11, 37-37-26, 54-44, 69-66