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MANILA, Philippines — National University clamped down on defense in the second half and defeated San Beda, 74-57, on Friday to make a return trip to the finals of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup.
The Bulldogs’ fourth quarter output alone (23), was enough to outscore the Red Lions’ entire second half production (21), thus making it easy to figure out why they won so convincingly.
“That was the key. We were really disciplined and focused. We forced them to 38 percent FG, we controlled the rebounds and limited transition baskets,” said head coach Eric Altamirano.
Denice Villamor provided the spark with 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting, six rebounds, an assist, steal and block apiece — a stat line which made Altamirano smile.
“Maganda lang laro namin lahat, siguro sakin lang talaga napunta points (We all played good; I probably just scored more),” said Villamor, who also didn’t have a single turnover in 18 minutes.
Gelo Alolino, meanwhile, chipped in 15 points and seven rebounds, while Ray Parks and Emmanuel Mbe shared 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The Bulldogs square up against University of the East, which earlier ousted University of Santo Tomas, in a knockout finals duel on Wednesday at the Arena in San Juan.
Baser Amer had 19 points for the Red Lions, the NCAA defending champions, while Arthur Dela Cruz and center Ola Adeogun scored 16 and 10, in that order.
But San Beda couldn’t get anything going from downtown, failing to convert even just one of its 12 attempts, which clogged the lanes even more.
The scores:
NU 74 — Villamor 18, Alolino 15, Parks 12, Mbe 11, Aroga 7, Alejandro 5, Javillonar 2, Rosario 2, De Guzman 2, Roño.
San Beda 57 — Amer 19, Dela Cruz 16, Adeogun 10, Dela Rosa 4, Semerad 4, Pascual 2, Abarcar 2, Koga 0, Semerad 0, Sara 0, Villaruz 0, Bonsubre 0.
Quarters: 20-17, 39-36, 51-42, 74-57.