Everybody appeared to be still suffering from Holiday Hangover as the first three games of the year of the Father Martin Cup Open Invitational all started out sluggishly. An early 8 A.M. start of Game Day Six at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Gym in Manila, however, did not prevent University of Santo Tomas (UST) from putting away Collegio San Juan de Letran`s (CSJL)-B, 77-69. Letran-A had its way with Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU), 74-59, while FEU had to repulse a late challenge by gritty System Technologies Institute (STI), 59-51.

The first quarter the was marked by multiple turnovers and lethargic play as UST`s Jojo Duncil and Chester Taylor accounted for 12 of their 15 points. Boyet Bautista kept Letran-B in the hunt by making 2 of his game-high 4 three point shots. The second quarter turned out to be a Jemal Vizcarra versus Aaron Aban show as Vizcarra drilled in 13 points punctuated by 3 shots from beyond the arc as Aban answered back with 10 points of his own from his versatile inside-outside game. The Growling Tigers took the half 42-31 as Vizcarra was ably backed up by the consistent performances of Duncil and Allan Evangelista. The Knights came back from the break revitalized and put on an 8-17 burst with Bautista making his 2 other treys to inch them closer, 50-48, midway through the third quarter. Vizcarra, however, would have none of it as he played his familiar role of fireman, scoring the last 7 points of UST to retain a double digit advantage going into the last quarter, 66-56. The endgame became very defensive as each team was able to shut down every attempt at a serious run. Consequently, Letran-B was only able to chip away 2 points from UST`s lead. Aban and Bautista finished with 19 and 12 points, respectively while Vizcarra, Duncil and Evangelista had 24, 20 and 12, but the play of the game was easily the fourth quarter rim-rattling dunk by Knight Rey Guevarra. After receiving the ball in transition he blew past his defender on the right flank, elevated from outside the shaded area near the baseline and slammed the ball through the hoop with both hands.

Letran-A recovered from a very slow 2-9 start to cruise past the MLQU. It was open court basketball all the way as both teams were content in running and gunning at each other. Turnovers were numerous as players opted for a freewheeling style of play. Letran-A went into the break ahead 42-29 largely due to the 16 first half points of Jonathan Aldave who finished with a game high 20. The Stallions were listless in the second half even as the Knights eased off the throttle a bit. The lone bright spot for MLQU was the spirited performance of Jon-Jon Lutestica who scored 11 points in the fourth quarter to finish with 18 for the game. It was a solid outing for Coach Mel Alas` boys who are undefeated in two games.

Letran-A recovered from a very slow 2-9 start to cruise past the MLQU. It was open court basketball all the way as both teams were content in running and gunning at each other. Turnovers were numerous as players opted for a freewheeling style of play. Letran-A went into the break ahead 42-29 largely due to the 16 first half points of Jonathan Aldave who finished with a game high 20. The Stallions were listless in the second half even as the Knights eased off the throttle a bit. The lone bright spot for MLQU was the spirited performance of Jon-Jon Lutestica who scored 11 points in the fourth quarter to finish with 18 for the game. It was a solid outing for Coach Mel Alas` boys who are undefeated in two games.

STI proved that its moniker, The Cinderella Team of the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU), is well deserved. This second year team which rose from second to the last in their maiden season to championship runner last year showed their character as they battled FEU tooth and nail in the homestretch. The Olympians were able to stand toe-to-toe with the taller and more athletic Tamaraws in the first quarter behind the 8 points of Jun Perez who finished with a team-high 13. FEU, however, asserted its dominance in the second quarter by limiting STI to only 8 points and scoring 20 behind the 9 points of JR Gerilla who finished with a game -high 16. It did not help STI`s cause any when Marlon Yambao was ejected from the game for a serious unsportsmanlike foul. They were, however, able to reduce the deficit to 8 as Jonathan Belano scored all of his 7 points in the third quarter. The struggle became notably more intense in the final quarter as the Olympians hacked their way closer. With less than 2 minutes to go and FEU ahead by only a point, STI was sent to the charity line for a chance at the lead. Unfortunately, they would not progress any further. Two missed free throws later, FEU was able to convert for a 54-51 lead. A turnover and another FEU conversion later and STI`s chances suddenly dimmed, 56-51 with 24 seconds to go. A series of desperation attempts and intentional fouls settled the final score, but Coach Vic Icasiano`s wards proved their mettle as they dropped to their fourth loss in six outings.

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