Manzo shines as UP downs Letran in SMART City Hoops

MANILA, Philippines – University of the Philippines (UP) improved to 2-0 in the SMART City Hoops Under-25 Summer Classic on Wednesday, after the Fighting Maroons fended off the Letran Knights, 75-69, at the indoor court of Greenhills West in San Juan.

A balanced attack by the Fighting Maroons, led by Bright Akhuetie, gave them a 68-55 lead with 4:03 left to play. However, Letran uncorked a blistering 13-1 run, capped by a JP Calvo lay-up, that tied the game with still 1:20 to go.

But Jun Manzo refused to lose, as the point guard scored six straight points to steer the Fighting Maroons past the Knights.

Letran fell to 0-2 with the loss.

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Six players finished in double digits for UP, with Akhuetie contributing 14 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and a block. Transferee JD Tungcab had 12 points.

Javi Gomez De Liano, Paul Desiderio, David Murell, and Manzo had 10 markers each.

Their efforts made up for the poor performance of reigning UAAP Rookie of the Year and Gilas Cadet Juan Gomez de Liano, who only had four points in his tournament debut for the Fighting Maroons.

JP Calvo paced Letran with 14 points, but needed 19 shots to get there. Jerrick Balanza and Bonbon Batiller had 11 points each.

On Saturday, Letran will look to break into the win column when it takes on neighbor Lyceum of the Philippines University (0-1) at 2 p.m.

The scores:

UP 75 - Akhuetie 14, Tungcab 12, Manzo 10, Desiderio 10, Murell 10, De Liano Ja. 10, Desiderio 10, De Liano Ju. 4, Gozum 3, Dario 2, Esparada 0, Lim 0, Jaboneta 0.

CSJL 69 - Calvo 14, Batiller 11, Balanza 11, Agbong 6, Yu 5, Ambohot 5, Muyang 5, Balagasay 4, Galvelo 3, Mandreza 3, Celis 2, Taladua 0, Villanueva 0, Luciano 0, Banez 0, Pambid 0.

Quarterscores: 12-11, 27-30, 49-42, 75-69.

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