NEXT MAN CUP: UE SURVIVES ST. BENILDE’S FIGHTBACK FOR BACK-TO-BACK WINS

University of the East withstood a late charge by College of St. Benilde as the Res Warriors scored a 73-66 win for their second straight victory in the Pinoyliga Next Man cUP on Sunday, January 22 at the Activate Hoop Arena in Mandaluyong City. 

UE’s reserve team of coach Lawrence Yulo improved to 3-2, but not before a final quarter scare from the Blazers’ secondary squad in which they came within two possessions in completing the comeback.

Ray Allen Maglupay and Pio Cruz teamed up in the payoff period, firing in five points each with the former leading all scorers with 21 points.

It was Maglupay’s 10 in the opening frame that gave them an eight-point lead.

They even led by as much as 20 points, 40-20, on Cruz’s lay-up with 3:14 left in the first half, and were looking to coast on a huge win after leading by 16 after three quarters.

However, Prince Carlos waxed hot in the final frame, firing in nine of his 20 points to put coach Paolo Layug’s squad within four, 67-63 on the guard’s fastbreak bucket with 54.6 ticks left.

UE responded right away after a timeout, and survived the Benilde press as Willie Wilson - 10 points, 13 rebounds - scored a contested lay-up.

Maglupay and John Manalang then put the finishing touches from the free throw line.

Yulo said they need to improve after their composure was tested.

“The team has a lot of things to be improved in all aspects,” Yulo said.

“We’re here to improve each player. We’re trying to expose them, para pagdating sa mga summer leagues, hasa na sila.”

The scores: 

UE 73 – Maglupay 21, Cruz 13, Wilson 10, Manalang 7, Cabero 6, Alcantara 6, Lingolingo 5, De Leon 3, Maxie 2

ST. BENILDE 66 – Carlos 20, Sumabat 10, Marcos 8, Lepalam 7, Jarque 5, Cajucom 4, Flores 4, Baliquig 2, Vanguardia 2, Turco 2, Serrano 1, Arciaga 1, Santos 0, Dimayuga 0

Quarter scores: 21-13, 42-28, 57-41, 73-66.