National University used a vaunted second quarter press to break away and record a 74-52 drubbing of Emilio Aguinaldo College Friday in the 2015 Filoil Flying V Hanes Preseason Premier Cup at the San Juan Arena.
Reden Celda chipped in 13 points and 3 steals to topscore for the Bulldogs, which improved to 3-0 in Group A. Center Seny Gaye added 11 points and 9 boards in the win.
The game was still tied at 17-all midway through the second quarter when the Bulldogs turned up the heat on defense, thanks to a three-guard unit composed of Reden Celda, JJ Alejandro, and Pao Javelona.
The said unit led the Bulldogs in the period and closed the first half on a 23-6 run to hold a comfortable 40-23 lead entering the break.
“It [fullcourt press] created a lot of turnovers for EAC and it gave us the momentum so we were able to score a lot in transition,” Bulldogs head coach Eric Altamirano quipped of the encouraging effort of the squad on the defensive end.
The reigning UAAP champions continued the assault in the second half, stretching their lead to as high as 24 while limiting their foes to only 30 percent from the field. The Bulldogs also fired 21 fastbreak points while forcing 25 turnovers from the Generals to score 16 points of their own.
National U troops back to the hardcourt in less than 24 hours against fellow UAAP finalist Far Eastern University on Saturday, in what Altamirano calls the team’s first test in the tournament.
“It is going to be a feel out game but I think it will be test for us against a UAAP team,” he said.
EAC meanwhile, which dropped to 1-4, returns to action on May 22, Friday against Jose Rizal University.
The Scores:
NU (74) – Celda 13, Gaye 11, Javelona 11, Alejandro 9, Alolino 7, Diputado 6, Tansingco 4, De Castro 3, Abatayo 2, Salim 2, Javillonar 2, Rangel 2, Neypes 1, Morido 1, Senining 0
EAC (52) – Munsayac 9, Mbang 7, Onwubere 6, Diego 6, Laminou 5, Morada 5, Esplana 5, Pascual 5, Corilla 2, Pascua 2, Saludo 2, Estacio 0, General 0, Indin 0, Mejos 0, Aderes 0
| TEAMS | 1ST | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH |
| NU (A, 3-0) | 14 | 40 | 55 | 74 |
| EAC (A, 1-4) | 15 | 23 | 37 | 52 |
