The National University Bulldogs pulled off all stops to deny the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals their initial win in Group B of the 2017 Premier Cup, 85-80, and snatch their third consecutive victory, Sunday afternoon at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Captains Matt Salem and Jjay Alejandro paced the Bustillos-based squad both with 15 points. Center Issa Gaye pinched in 14 markers to go with 11 rebounds.
It was pretty much an NU game from the get-go as they led the Cardinals for several stretches of the game. For head coach Jamike Jarin, the win is a good one for the team’s confidence.
He said, “We controlled the game and, as you said, we led big. It is still a process for us, playing multiple positions, different players, different lineups. It was a chance for us to test the players.”
A trey from Jaypee Nieles forced a tie at 61 late in the third, but NU managed to pull off a 9-0 run to put away the game for good with a quarter to go.
National University will face the Adamson University (4-0) in a top-of-the-table clash on Friday, May 19, at 11:15pm.
Andoy Estrella once more led Mapua with 14 points and two assists.
Mapua (0-3) will seek their first win when they face the debuting University of the Philippines later that day at 1:30 pm.
The Scores
NU (85) – Salem 15, Alejandro 15, Gaye 14, Yu 10, Joson 6, Tibayan 6, Abatayo 4, Lastimosa 4, Cauilan 3, Diputado 2, Flores 2, Morido 2, Galvelo 2, Aquino 0, Bartlett 0, Mosqueda 0, Rangel 0, Sistoza 0.
MIT (80) – Estrella 14, Pelayo 13, Bunag 12, Victoria 12, Raflores 8, Biteng 6, Serrano 5, Nieles 5, Aguirre 4, Gamboa 1, Gabo 0, Magboo 0.
Quarterscores: 26-16, 45-41, 70-61, 85-80
