The National University Bulldogs came from behind and upended the Arellano University Chiefs, 82-79, to take their second consecutive win in Group B of the 2017 FilOil Flying V Pre-season Premier Cup.
Matt Salem came up big for the Bustillos-based crew with double-double output of 18 points and 13 rebounds. Issa Gaye also had 11 markers and nine boards.
Arellano dictated the pace in the opening half and held the lead, 39-32, which led NU coach Jamike Jarin to feel something was lacking from their side.
He said, “We just decided we need to up the level of energy. You know Arellano, they come in with a lot of energy with their guards. So, we have to match their energy.”
And with that resolve, the white-shirts turned it around and finally regained the lead off a Jordan Bartlett layup, 60-58, with two minutes left in the third.
From there, the Bulldogs fended off the Chiefs in the fourth, who had their final answer off a Zach Nichols trey in the dying seconds.
Jarin was more convinced with National U’s play tonight compared to their previous match. “It is a better performance,” he declared.
Nonetheless, he warned that, “[…] we still need to work. We start flat. We got a 2-0 lead, then all of a sudden we’re just floating. They waited for somebody to spark them.”
The Bulldogs (2-0) will face off with winless Mapua Institute of Technology (0-2) on Sunday, May 14, at 1:30 pm.
AU big man Lervin Flores also had a double-double at 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Kent Salado registered 14 markers.
The Chiefs (0-2) will look to take their first win when they face FEU the following Sunday, May 21, at 1:30pm.
The Scores:
NU (82) – Salem 18, Gaye 11, Alejandro 10, Diputado 10, Flores 8, Bartlett 6, Joson 4, Rangel 4, Abatayo 3, Lastimosa 3, Galvelo 3, Tibayan 2, Yu 0, Morido 0, Mosqueda 0, Aquino 0, Caulilan 0
AU (79) – Flores 15, Salado 14, Meca 12, Nichols 11, Enriquez 7, Concepcion 7, Aguilar 5, Ongolo Ongolo 4 , Padilla 4, Rivera 0, Cañete 0, Abanes 0 , Villoria 0, De Guzman 0 , Cahigas 0, Juico 0, Gupilan 0
Quarterscores: 16-23, 32-39, 63-58, 82-79
