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The Blazers, since replacing last year’s head coach Caloy Garcia, acquired the services of Red Bull assistant coach Gee Abanilla as their new head coach for this collegiate season but could not turn them into a Barako type team .

They sometimes share the practice court together - with the Red Bull Barakos, with highly-respected Red Bull mentor Yeng Guiao, at the RFM Gym in Mandaluyong City since Abanilla took the job three months ago.

The Blazers are now applying what they’ve learned in the second Fil-Oil Flying V Pre-Season Invitational Cup last April 21, 2008 at The Arena in San Juan City and it turned out to be a black eye for the new Blazers mentor.

With guards like Paul Lee, James Martinez and Toto Bandaying on a scoring rampage, the University of the East Red Warriors, routed the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, 92-71, for their first win in the tournament.

After registering 19-7 lead in the opening quarter, Lee, Martinez and Pari Llagas joined forces for a searing 33-13 burst to stretch the Red Warriors’ lead to 31 points, 49-18, late in the second period.

Although Mark Borboran and several other key players enjoying their vacation time, the Red Warriors still looked formidable with new recruits – Erwin Duran and Paul Zamar of UE’s junior team, ex-Letran Squires Lucas Tagarda and San Beda Cubs’ John Ray Alabanza.

“We’re a smaller team than last year, but we’re quicker,” said Pumaren, with a runner-up to La Salle last year.

“Our four veteran players are a big loss, so we have to work hard. But I think we’ll be all right.”

Lee fired 12 points in the first three quarters after Pumaren decided to sit him out since UE was ahead at 75-44 at the start of final period.

Martinez and Toto Bandaying finished with 11 points each. Llagas added nine points, while Elmer Espiritu and Alabanza had 8 points apiece.

Meanwhile a mild skirmish happened during the game when UE’s Gino Etrone collided with the Blazer’ Chuck Dalanon while going to the Red Warriors’ front court.  Garri Sevilla was also involved in the incident when he tried to help his teammate.

Individual Scores:
UE 92–Lee 12, Martinez 11, Bandaying 11, Llagas 9, Espiritu 8, Alabanza 8, Lingganay 8, Thiele 6, Zamar 5, Acuña 5, Duran 4, Etrone 4, Reyes 1, Tagarda 0.

ST. BENILDE 71–Morial 13, David 12, Sevilla 7, Porras 6, Montecastro 6, Dalanon 6, Johnston 4, Manlapaz 4, Abulocion 4, Wong 4, Santos 2, Dino 2, Umlas 1, Manalac 0, Dela Paz 0.

Quarter Scores: 19-7, 52-20, 75-44, 92-71

Tags: benilde, Blazers, FilOil-Flying-V, News, Petron, Red-Warriors, UE

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