Gilas Cadets thrive under pressure

HEAD coach Jong Uichico has tested his wards capacity under pressure in Gilas Pilipinas Cadets’ slim 6361 win over University of the East (UE) in the 12th FilOil Flying V Preseason Cup on Tuesday night at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan City.

“I saw who can play. I saw who’s

smart in the endgame. That’s what I saw today,” said Uichico.

The quintet of Ricci Rivero, Juan Gomez De Liaño, Abu Tratter, Vince

Tolentino and teen prodigy Kai Sotto held the Red Warriors scoreless in the last 9:10 of the game en route

Uichico specially mentioned Tratter and Tolentino for their ex- -

even as Tolentino shut down UE main man Alvin Pasaol in the fourth quarter while notching eight markers and seven rebounds.

“They just play hard and smart. I admire players like that,” Uichico said.

The bemedalled coach also lauded the 7-foot-2 Sotto, who came through with an impressive preseason debut

“Isn’t it great to have a sevenfooter?” he asked reporters lightheartedly. “I think he’s a smart player. For a 16-year old, he knows what’s happening and it’s surprising,” Uichico told of the high

three rebounds and two blocks.

“He played the whole of the fourth quarter without really making a mistake— mentally, physically maybe. But mentally, I didn’t see him make a mistake. So, I think he’s a smart player. He’s just lacking in physical attributes but he’s a young kid,” he added.

The lanky Sotto is thankful of his mentor’s trust.

“I thanked coach for trusting

- of defending and ing my role rebounding. Fortunately, we won,” said Sotto.

Rivero had an all-around performance of eight points, nine rebounds, three steals, two assists and as many blocks while Gomez De Liaño had five markers, 10 boards and four dimes in the vic-

the closing canto.

The also-ran Cadets improved to 2-5 win-loss in Group A even as UE, which was led by Pasaol with 22 points on a sour 7-of-28 shooting clip, dropped to 1-2.

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University (FEU) notched a bounce-back 75- 64 victory over Adamson University.

Nigerian big man Prince Orizu led the Tamaraws’ balanced offense with 12 points as they

College of St. Benilde.

“The players took St. Benilde lightly. I told them, ‘If you want to respect the game you got to respect the opponents.’ This was a good bounce-back game for us,” said FEU head coach Olsen Racela, whose squad returned to No. 2 in Group B with a 4-1 slate.

Sean Manganti had 20 points

defeat after a two-win start.