By Ivan Saldajeno
SAN JUAN, MM—La Salle cruised to its fifth straight win with a 96-86 win against Mapua in a high-scoring FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup match on Wednesday night at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
After stunning the CESAFI champions SWU Cobras in their last outing, the Cardinals threatened to pull off another giant killing as they led the defending FilOil Cup champions Green Archers, 34-28, midway through the second quarter behind the hot hands of Josan Nimes.
But the Green Archers took control of the final minutes of the second and later outscored the Cardinals, 29-15, in the third to pull away for good despite Nimes trying to keep the game interesting late in the fourth.
Prince Rivero took charge in the first half, scoring 16 of his 22 points, while Thomas Torres led La Salle's third quarter barrage to finish with 21.
Nimes had a game-high 28 points for Mapua, which fell to 1-5.
Box Scores:
La Salle 96-Rivero 22, Torres 21, Teng 14, Caracut 11, Navarro 9, Tratter 8, Perkins 6, Go 2, Van Opstal 2, Pascual 1, Gob 0
Mapua 86-Nimes 28, Oraeme 11, Dela Rosa 10, Isit 8, Serrano 8, Biteng 7, Raflores 6, Nieles 5, Que 3, Layug 0
Quarterscores: 22-17, 46-45, 75-60, 96-86
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