Fresh from Gilas stint, Carl Tamayo steers UP past Mapua in Filoil preseason opener

Fresh off the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup, Carl Tamayo steadied the ship for University of the Philippines as they downed Mapua University, 83-59, in the 2022 Filoil Preseason Cup on Saturday.

Tamayo starred with a double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds to go alongside two assists and one block as UP built on the momentum from their historic UAAP Season 84 championship run.

Tamayo had eight points early in the first half but the Fighting Maroons trailed the Cardinals at the break, 31-33, with Brian Lacap leading the NCAA Season 97 runners-up.

But UP rode on a strong third quarter to put the game away, outscoring the Randy Alcantara-mentored squad, 26-13, to erect a 57-46 cushion to end the penultimate period. It was the same scenario in the payoff period, where the Katipunan school poured in 26 markers as well while limiting Mapua to just 13.

Gerry Abadiano provided the help as he chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds for UP while CJ Catapusan chimed in with nine markers as they opened the preseason buildup on a high note.

Mapua, who lost to Letran in the finals of the previous NCAA edition, was led by usual gunners in Warren Bonifacio and Lacap, who each finished with 11 points.

UP now leads Group A with a 1-0 card while Mapua is at 0-1. UP next faces familiar foe University of the East on Wednesday while Mapua tackles National University on Sunday, July 31.

—JMB, GMA News