La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao. Handout Photo/FilOil.

MANILA — De La Salle University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran are set to rekindle their old collegiate rivalry in the 2024 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup semifinals.

This, after the Green Archers and the Knights emerged triumphant earlier in their respective quarterfinals matchups, Saturday afternoon at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Defending UAAP champion La Salle eliminated San Beda University in their quarters clash, with the Green Archers dealing the NCAA titlists a 94-80 beating to advance to the semis.

Leading DLSU was UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao as he put up 15 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, and the 6-foot-6 wingman only needed to produce these as they built a lead that grew to as much as 26, 83-57, to shut the door on the Red Lions as early as the third canto.

“They know that these are the defending NCAA champions, so if you mess around with the champions, there is a possibility that they will hurt you,” said Archers head coach Topex Robinson after the game, explaining their mindset that allowed them to dominate San Beda.

“We just stuck to what worked for us. The players responded, and guys really contributed a thing or few, and I’m more proud of how they defended the pesky San Beda offense,” he continued.

Also contributing for the Taft-based squad was rookie Doys Dungo, with the former Red Cup putting up 12 markers, two dimes, and a rebound, while Raven Cortez, Earl Abadam, and CJ Austria tallied 12, 11, and 10, respectively.

On the other hand, Bryan Sajonia top scored for SBU with 15 points, and following him were Season 99 Finals MVP James Payosing and Yuki Andrada who each finished with 10.

Letran’s Titing Manalili. Handout photo/FilOil

Meanwhile, Letran was the only NCAA squad to advance to the semis, and they did so after they ousted the University of the East, 70-66.

Leading the Muralla boys was Deo Cuajao as he fired 22 points and four rebounds, while incoming rookie Titing Manalili paced them with 19 markers, five boards, and four assists.

These numbers allowed the Knights to overcome a once nine-point lead from the Red Warriors, with Manalili even draining a trey late in the game to tie it at 66 all.

Cuajao was then fouled while attempting a triple with only 33 ticks left, and while he only converted two of his three tries, he iced the game later on after draining both of his free throws when UE was hoping to close in on the Knights in the dying seconds. 

This, in turn, spoiled the hot hands of John Abate who scored 14 points, 12 of which came from a four-of-seven shooting from beyond the arc, as well Rain Maga’s 13 points and five boards and Precious Momowei’s 10-point, 14-rebound game.

BOX SCORES

LETRAN 70 - Cuajao 22, Manalili 19, Galoy 10, Go 4, Nunag 4, Dimaano 3, Baliling 3, Montecillo 2, Pradela 2, Jumao-As 1.

UE 66 - Abate 14, Maga 13, Momowei 10, Galang 9, Mulingtapang 6, Spandonis 6, Cruz-Dumont 4, Lingolingo 3, Robles 1, Niric 0, Malaga 0.

QUARTERS: 20-23, 36-44, 55-58, 70-66