Bulldogs keep fine form, zap Warriors

MANILA, Philippines - National University pulled off a stunning victory over fancied University of the East, 57-53, while University of Perpetual Help survived a tough physical game against Letran to escape with a 59-57 victory in the Filoil Flying V Tanduay First Five Pre-Season Inivtational Cup at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

The Bulldogs picked up where they left off, making crucial defensive stops at endgame while Joseph Hermosisima came through with a triple and two charities to lift the team to victory.

It was NU’s second straight win after dropping its first three games while UE closed out its elims stint with a 4-4 card.

“I told my players they should keep believing on what they can do,” said NU coach Eric Gonzales.

Jewel Ponferrada scored 15 points while Hermosisima added 12 points for NU, which beat Adamson last week.

The Bulldogs also held Paul Lee to nine points after the UE gunner hit 34 points against Jose Rizal U recently.

Meanwhile, UPHDS finally broke into the win column after dropping its first three games as it scored a come-from-behind 59-57 victory over Letran.

The Knights fell to 1-4. Paul Nuilan made two free throws to tie the count at 57 then Chris Elopre also came through with pressure-packed charities for the win.         

Earlier, Adamson bounced back from a recent loss to NU as it rolled past St. Benilde, 66-52.

The Falcons, who bowed to the Bulldogs, 65-67, last Saturday, unloaded 11 unanswered points in the early going then went to post the lopsided win, their fourth in six games in Group B.

‘’Good thing we won because we need to bounce back from our last loss. We’ve learned our lesson, we can’t be complacent so we started well and controlled the game,’’ said Adamson coach Leo Austria.

The Blazers remained winless in five games, also in Group B.

In junior play, La Salle Greenhills proved steadier down the stretch as it turned back San Sebastian, 84-83, in overtime.

The Greenies overcame a 33-43 third quarter deficit with a big fourth quarter run, forcing the extra period at 69-all before outlasting the Staglets in the clutch.   

Emman Bonleon took charge for LSGH in the extra period, firing 10 of his 18 points, including a triple with 23.1 seconds left that sealed the Greenies’ third victory in Group C. – With reports from Koji Echeminada and Kristina Villanueva