#FilOil2019: UP caps off Group A stint with beatdown of UST

SAN JUAN --Even with a bad back, Bright Akhuetie carried UP on his shoulders, as it capped off its group A stint at the FilOil FlyingV Preseason Cup with a comprehensive 89-72 win over UST in the second of the Seniors' four-game billing Friday afternoon at the FilOil FlyingV Centre.

The reigning UAAP MVP posted a double-double by scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds in 31 minutes of action, as the Fighting Maroons assured itself of a top three finish in their group with a 5-2 record.

Returning after missing three games, Kobe Paras led UP's bench mob by hitting 15 points. They outscored UST's second unit by 17 with Juan Gomez De Liano pitching in 10 for stand-in mentor coach Ricky Dandan.

Rhenze Abando lit up the Arena by putting 24 on the Growling Tigers' board, but it was not enough for them as they fell to 1-4 to remain at the bottom half of the group.

It was only in the fourth when UP pulled away late, leading by as much as 17 to wrap up their elimination round campaign.

The scores:

UP 89 -- Akhuetie 17, Paras 15, Juan Gomez De Liano 10, Tungcab 8, Murell 8, Spencer 7, Manzo 7, Webb 6, Prado 5, Jaboneta 3, Javi Gomez De Liano 3, Gob 0

UST 72 -- Abando 24, Chabi Yo 23, Ando 9, Subido 6, Paraiso 5, Tarranza 3, Cosejo 2, Bataller 0, Huang 0, Pangilinan 0, Bordeos 0, Marcos 0, Talampas 0

Quarter scores: 28-21, 43-37, 67-58, 89-72

(photo by FilOil FlyingV Sports)