De La Salle University flexed its depth against Adamson University as it posted a convincing 65-47 victory in the first game of the Playtime Cares 18th Filoil Preseason Cup late Sunday at the Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.

The Soaring Falcons actually held on to a 29-27 halftime lead behind rookie gunner Earl Medina who fired 11 points. But come the second half, the Green Archers tightened up their defense, allowing the Falcons to only 18 points in total.

Several players connived for a 18-7 La Salle tear that overturned their halftime deficit, capped off by back-to-back threes from veteran Earl Abadam and transferee Jacob Cortez. In all, the Green Archers outscored their opponents, 38-18, in the last two quarters.

Abadam wound up with nine points while Cortez also added eight markers and five rebounds. Kean Baclaan, another talent now done with his one-year residency, then contributed 12 points, eight dimes, four boards, and two steals.

“They really worked together. A lot of questions were raised when we both took them. They were saying that one ball will not be enough. They proved them wrong,” La Salle head coach Topex Robinson said.

That was more than enough to ensure the Green Archers opened their post-Kevin Quiambao era with a big-time win, as new skipper Mike Phillips powered through for seven points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

Medina finished with a team-high 14 points for the Mathew Montebon-less Soaring Falcons, flanked by Austin Ronzone with 11 markers.

Over in the National Collegiate Athletic Association bracket, Letran College and College of Benilde took the early lead en route to posting convincing wins.

Despite trailing for the majority of the match, the Knights pulled a fast one on Arellano University with a 72-68 win, thanks to late-game heroics by Jonathan Manalili.

The Blazers, on the other hand, also pulled off a great escape from Mapua University, 58-56, to get their campaign off on the right foot.