Briones shines for UP in Collegiate Cup

ROOKIE Chicco Briones, one of the vital cogs in the University of the Philippines' unbeaten run at the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup, is making a name of his own in the local basketball scene.

A second-generation player who turned 21 last Sunday, Briones powered the Fighting Maroons to their seventh straight win following a 94-72 rout of Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) at the Enderun Colleges Gym.

UP has completed a sweep of all of its Group Edge games of the tournament backed by Pinoyliga, Kick-Start Coffee, Slicktight Pomade, Antbox, Smart, Ducksports, Exile Lights, and Sound and Excellent Print.

Led by the rookie sensation, the Fighting Maroons are looking good as they clinched an outright quarterfinals berth for topping the group.

The son of former PBA player Lowell, the 6-foot-6 rookie logged 14 points and two assists to power UP against EAC.

His showing in the Pinoyliga Cup will give Briones, who played one year for Carroll College and will be eligible to play for UP in Season 86 after completing a one-year residency, a much-needed confidence booster.

Another player from the other side of Katipunan to watch out for is Ateneo's LeBron Nieto.

The younger brother of Mike and Matt flirted with a triple-double with 10 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as the Blue Eagles demolished Philippine Christian University, 110-43.

Nieto's consistent play has powered Ateneo in leading Group Prime with a 6-0 card.

Aside from Nieto, four other Blue Eagles logged in twin digits with Jordi Gomez de Liaño and Paul Garcia leading the way with 16 points.

Goldslove Nwabude (14 points, 11 rebounds) and Ian Espinosa (14 points, 11 boards) produced double-double outings for the reigning UAAP champions.

Other Tuesday's results show Mike Malonzo pulling off a double-double outing of 13 points and 10 rebounds in National University's 104-101 overtime win over Mapua, to bolster its quarterfinals bid in Group Prime at 5-1.

The Bulldogs showed a balanced attack with Steve Nash Enriquez leading the way with 26 points.

Paolo Hernandez shot 21 points for the Cardinals, who dropped to third in their group at 5-2.

Luke Felipe had 16 points as Far Eastern University hacked out an 83-52 triumph over the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta to raise its Group Edge record to 3-3.

The Altas, led by Shawn Orgo's 24 points, dropped to 3-4.