NU smothers Perpetual, enters semis in Fr. Martin Cup

MANILA, Philippines – The National University Bulldogs are in the semifinals, while the University of the Philippines kept their hopes alive Thursday, May 23 in the 19th Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament.

This time around, Emmanuel Mbe joined hands with Bobby Ray Parks Jr. as the National University Bulldogs waylaid the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 63-54, and completed a seven-game sweep of Group A at the Arellano University gymnasium in Legarda, Manila.

Mbe, who had 13 points the last time around when they beat the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 71-60, tallied a game-high 21 points for the Bulldogs, who secured the first semifinals berth in their bracket.

This allowed NU to stay on course for a repeat of a great performance which they last experienced in 2011, according to commissioner Robert de la Rosa.

Earlier in the day, the Informatics got 28 points from RK Morales as they dealt the UP Maroons their second straight setback, 66-56, in Group B.

The Adamson Falcons, getting back-to-back baskets from Jericho Cruz in the last 6.1 seconds, won over the Maroons, 68-67, last Tuesday, and stayed in contention for the first semis slot in their bracket.

The Maroons (4-2) kept their hopes alive, while the Icons finished their assignment at 4-3.

Parks unloaded 18 points for the Bulldogs, including 10 in the third period as they turned the tables on the Altas’ 33-32 halftime edge, and as NU went on to grab a 50-43 third quarter lead.

In the women’s action, Banjo Soriano fired 16 points for the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, who crushed AMA, 82-23, last Tuesday, and they hiked their win-loss record to 4-2 in second position.

Renzo Subido made 19 points for La Salle-Zobel, which won over University of Santo Tomas, 75-53, in the junior division, and this allowed them to stay unbeaten after six games.