By: Anton Guarina
National University used a strong fourth-quarter blitz to upend College of Saint Benilde, 82-72, in Group A of the 2022 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, Thursday afternoon in San Juan City.
The Bulldogs remained in the top spot of the group with a 5-0 win-loss record, inching closer to a quarterfinal berth. Meanwhile, the Blazers stayed in fourth with 4-3.
Leading by eight after three quarters, NU extended the lead to 12, 74-62, at the start of the fourth. John Galinato’s drive punctuated a 7-3 run for the Bulldogs with 5:56 minutes left in the game, forcing CSB to call a timeout.
The Blazers came within six, 70-76, coming from a three-point play of Migs Oczon with 3:47 left in the game.
Back-to-back baskets from Jake Figueroa and Steve Nash Enriquez, though, pushed the lead back to double digits, 80-70, with 3:08 remaining to keep the Blazers at bay.
“Tingin ko, I have to maximize yung 16 players ko, tignan ko hanggang saan kami talaga. Kaya nag-experiment para atleast mapagbigyan ko talaga yung players mga players ko, the confidence na makalaban. Especially CSB’s more competitive talaga, very physical so, yung yung test of character for the team. Sabi ko sa kanila, even tho you have limited with minutes; once you step on the court, go all out kasi alam niyo naman na yung papalit sainyo ay same level, same intensity din para pere-pareho yung performerance nila in a top level,” said head coach Jeff Napa.
Steve Nash paced the Bulldogs with 11 points, two rebounds, and one steal, while Omar John and Kenshin Padrones both scored 10 points, with the former nailing seven rebounds and one assist and the latter with two rebounds.
Jake Figueroa played his first game for NU in the preseason. He set off with eight points, six rebounds and two assists.
The Bulldogs will stake its unbeaten run when they face off against Mapua University on Sunday at 1:00 P.M.
Miguel Oczon led the Blazers, dropping 21 points on 50-percent clip to go with one rebound and one assist. Will Gozum added 11 points, five rebounds and two assists, while Mark Sangco ended with nine markers, four boards, and two blocks.
The Bulldogs will stake its unbeaten run when they face off against Mapua University on Sunday at 1:00 P.M. On the other hand, the Blazers will have a six-day break before going up against Arellano University on August 17 at 5:00 P.M., still at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Scores:
NU 82 — Enriquez 11, John 10, Padrones 10, Figueroa 8, Clemente 7, Casinillo 6, Mahinay 6, Galinato 4, Minerva 4, Palacielo 4, Tibayan 4, Malonzo 3, Manansala 2, Tulabut 2, Gulapa 0.
CSB 72 — Oczon 21, Gozum 11, Cullar 9, Sangco 9, Marcos 7, Nayve 3, Pasturan 3, Davis 3, Carlos 2, Flores 2, Serrano 2, Mara 0, Dimayuga 0.
Quarterscores: 20-18, 42-39, 67-59, 82-72.
—
The entire 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup will stream LIVE on Smart Sports Facebook page
