After being swept by UE last season, Alfred Aroga did not want the Bulldogs to drop another game to the Red Warriors.
Aroga battled through fatigue and a tweaked right ankle to lift the National University Bulldogs to a 72-66 win over the University of the East Red Warriors Wednesday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Cameroonian student-athlete led National U with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting – scoring nine in the final frame, grabbed 13 rebounds, and had four swats. Jjay Alejandro added 13 points.
“I was lucky to score but my mindset is to be a leader,” the NU senior said.
It was a grind out affair that saw the two pressing teams knotted up seven times while having nine lead changes for the entire course of the game.
With the game tied at 63-all with 2:30 remaining after a Paul Varilla triple, Aroga forced his way to the paint and was able to find the hole. However, Edson Batiller, who led UE with 18 markers, was able to answer right back with a quick two.
The first team to blink though was the Red Warriors.
“I think our defense bailed us out in the fourth,” NU head coach Eric Altamirano said about the 53 to 41 rebounding advantage the Bulldogs had. “Ang sabi namin before we entered the game is that we wanted to win the rebounds. We committed too many turnovers but that is expected when you play UE.”
Edgar Charcos committed a costly foul right after the Batiller basket that led to two free throws for Rev Diputado. After a split from the stripe by Davaoeno transferee Alvin Pasaol, Aroga drove from the top of the arc to the lane for a tough two and the 69-66 lead. The Cameroonian though tweaked his right ankle in the process but begged not to be subbed out with 1:19 remaining.
“I got injured again but it is not an excuse,” he said.
Varilla and Batiller, wanting to tie the game, went for long threes but sorely missed. Free throws by Diputado and Alejandro sealed the win for the Bulldogs.
“I expected it to be a tough game,” Altamirano shared. “I felt UE is a Final Four team so I knew we were in for a tough battle.”
Pasaol added 10 points for the Red Warriors.
The Bulldogs shot 44 percent from the field compared to just 29 percent for UE.
The NU Bulldogs (1-0) next face the Ateneo Blue Eagles (1-0) on Sunday, September 11 at 4:00pm. The UE Red Warriors (0-1) look to bounce back on Saturday, September 10 against the UST Growling Tigers (0-1) at 2:00pm. Both games will be played at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
NU (72) – Aroga 16, Alejandro 13, Diputado R 9, Salem 7, Morido 7, Rangel 7, Abatayo 5, Diputado C 3, Gallego 2, Sinclair 2, Pate 1, Mosquada 0, Salim 0, Yu 0.
UE (66) – Batiller 18, Pasaol 10, De Leon 8, Penuela 7, Olayon 7, Varilla 5, Charcos 4, Abanto 2, Palma 2, Acuno 2, Gagate 1, Manalang 0, Armenion 0, Larupay 0, Derige 0, Bartolome 0.
Quarterscores: 16-15, 38-33, 47-46, 72-66.
