The 2017 SEA Games-bound Gilas Pilipinas have conquered all of their tune-up games as the cadets defeated the National University Bulldogs this time around, 109-94, Wednesday morning at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City.
The win serves as a fitting send-off for the national dribblers, as they are set to fly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday for the biennial regional meet.
“We’re improving day-to-day,” said Gilas coach Jong Uichico with regards to the sweep of tune-ups. “We’re not really a hundred percent, but hopefully in the next two days, we can get there [especially] in time for Sunday’s game.”
It was a balanced effort from everyone from the Gilas side, but it was Kobe Paras who shone the brightest for the third straight game as he contributed 14 points — all in the second half when they started to pull away.
The Nationals have already posted a favorable cushion late in the second stanza, 45-33, after an Almond Vosotros left corner trey with 3:31 on the clock — a lead they then sustained come the succeeding quarters.
Gilas even enjoyed a lead as huge as 18, 91-73, after a Paras triple from the top of the key with exactly seven minutes remaining in the payoff period. A Raymar Jose three-point play lifted them past the century mark, 102-85, with 3:51 left.
The Jamike Jarin-mentored Bulldogs received solid contributions from foreign student-athlete Issa Gaye, JJay Alejandro, and Chino Mosqueda.
