Ryan Regalado and Louie Aquino, two UM deadshots looking cinch for slots in the Mythical Selection this early, scored 19 points apiece, leading the Sampaloc-based school to a seventh win in as many games in the tourney and now 48th in all in an incredible unbeaten run since the league’s inception in 2001.
For a while, the Generals showed promise of a possible upset as they dragged the Hawks into a slambang fight in the first three quarters of the game.
But the Hawks, winners of all first three regular NAASCU titles and the first summer league last year, still led by four, 56-52, at the close of the third and poured on the heat in the payoff period to score a rout as they usually do.
Gener Bernados, Juan Uao III and Edward Vidanes were three other players who scored in double figures for the well-trained UM squad of coach Loreto Tolentino and team manager Atty. Ernesto delos Santos.
Pol Santiago, Ryeon delos Trinos and Joeryll Salem combined for 17 points.
The Hawks were pushed to the limit by the Generals in the first 20 minutes of play, settling for a precarious 43-42 lead at the half. They led by six, 27-21, at the end of the first quarter.
Boy Dumandan scored 20 points to pace the Generals who also drew double-digit outputs from Reynel Rivera and Allain Musni with 17 and 14, respectively.