A big second quarter surge propelled National University to a 89-77 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College in Group A of the 2022 FilOil Ecooil Preseason Cup, Wednesday in San Juan City.
The Bulldogs remained undefeated, 7-0, securing their top spot, while the Generals stayed at sixth place with 3-4.
The Bulldogs employed a 31-11 second period to turn a 19-19 deadlock into a 52-30 blowout at the half.
The lead grew to its biggest at 22, 64-42, off a lay-up by Charles Libang with 3:09 left in the third quarter.
Entering the final frame, 70-53, Emilio Aguinaldo College outscored National University by five, 24-19. The quartet of Allen Liwag, Carl Luciano, Ralph Robin, and Art Cosa provided the telling buckets to pace the Generals in the game.
However, John Clemente, Germy Maghinay, Robert Minerva, Kenshin Padrones, John Galinato Andre Casinillo, Charles Libang and Patrick Ramos scored a total of 18 points in the fourth quarter to keep EAC at bay to seal their victory.
“Samin ano naman, di naman natatapos yung game sa first quarter, first half e. So it always end up naman sa fourth quarter talaga up to the last buzzer so alam ko naman yung mga boys talagang ano yan once sinindihan ko sila, they will put some effort naman talaga to bounce back whatever their mistakes. Icorrect lahat nung mistakes. That’s why ayun nga naging okay din yung turn around nung game namin,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa.
John Galinato lifted the Bulldogs finishing with twelve points, an assist and a steal in just 13:22 mins of action. Ian Manansala and John Clemente each scored a total of 10 points with the former registering two boards and two rebounds and the latter with two boards and a steal.
Allen Liwag finished with a game-high of 18 points along with seven rebounds and an assist. Ralph Robin, JC Luciano, and JP Maguilano were the other double-digit scorers finishing each respectively with 15, 13, and 10.
National University will next face University of Perpetual Help System – DALTA tomorrow at 11:00 A.M.at the FilOil Ecooil Arena in San Juan City.
Emilio Aguinaldo College will take on Mapua University on August 20 at 9:00 A.M. also in the same venue.
The Scores:
NU 89 — Galinato 12, Clemente 10, Manansala 10, Padrones 7, Casinillo 7, Palacielo 5, Figueroa 5, Libang 5, Mahinay 5, Ramos 4, Tulabut 4, Tibayan 4, Malonzo 4, John 4, Enriquez 2, Minerva 1.
EAC 77 — Liwag 18, Robin 15, Luciano 13, Maguliano 10, Cosa 9, Gurtiza 6, Balowa 2, Umpad 2, Bacud 2, Tolentino 0, Ad. Doria 0, Bajon 0, An. Doria 0, Dominguez 0.
Quarterscores: 19-19, 52-30, 70-53, 89-77.
—
The entire 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup will stream LIVE on Smart Sports Facebook page
