National University completed its sweep of the 2022 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup’s Group A after fending off University of Perpetual Help System – DALTA, 87 – 82, on Thursday in San Juan City.
The Bulldogs will enter the knockout quarterfinals of the Preseason Cup on August 23 with an unblemished 8-0 record. They will take on the fourth seed of Group B.
Coming from a 21-13 lead at the start of the second period, the quartet of PJ Palacielo, John Galinato, Kenshin Padrones, and Ian Manansala unleashed a 11-3 spurt. They took control of the game, 32-16, with 6:35 left in the second period.
However, Marcus Nitura, Carlo Ferreras, Kim Aurin, and Mark Omega answered back with a 22-8 run to cut the deficit to two, 38-40, at the half.
Both teams were level at 67-all off a Jielo Razon Layup with 6:47 left in the final frame. Jielo Razon, Aurin, Nitura then sparked an 11-2 run and extended Perpetual’s advantage by nine, 78-69.
Perpetual tried to muster a rally, trading blows with their opponents. But momentum-stopping buckets from Enriquez, Michael Malonzo, John Clemente, Germy Mahinay, and Galinato shut the door on the Perpetual Altas to seal the win.
“Actually di happy kasi this is not how we don’t wanted this game e. Kumbaga talagang eto yung ayaw naming result na mangyari. Although we won, hindi kami masaya dahil nga the way we perform.
“Ayun naman sinasabi ko, we always emphasize our play in defense. So yun nga, yung game na ‘to, how we perform lumabas yung evident na medyo nag-relax eh,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa.
“Hindi ‘to yung message response na dapat nating binibuild-up. Although alam naman na nating pasok, pero dapat dun pa din tayo on a high note. Yung performance pa din yung pinaguusapan natin so yun nga,” he continued.
John Lloyd Clemente led NU to victory finishing with 21 markers, three boards, and an assist. Germy Mahinay and PJ Palacielo each scored 12 points apiece.
Steve Nash Enriquez finished with 11 points, while Michael Malonzo added 10.
The Altas, meanwhile, fell to 2-5.
On the other hand, Kim Aurin produced a total of 23 points, four rebounds, and two assists to lead the Altas. Nitura added 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Perpetual will play its final elimination game on Saturday against Arellano University at 11:00 A.M., still at the same venue.
The Scores:
NU 87 — Clemente 21, Mahinay 12, Palacielo 12, Enriquez 11, Malonzo 10, Manansala 6, Galinato 6, Figueroa 3, Padrones 3, Minerva 2, Yu 1, Gulapa 0, Casinillo 0, Tibayan 0.
Perpetual Help 82 — Aurin 23, Nitura 16, Omega 9, Razon 8, Ferreras 7, Barcuma 4, Abis 4, Orgo 3, Cuevas 2, Boral 2, Egan 2, Martel 2, Flores 0, Cauguiran 0, Udugan 0.
Quarterscores: 21-13, 40-38, 61-57, 87-82.
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The entire 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup will stream LIVE on Smart Sports Facebook page
