Filoil: NU turns back UP to go 3-0

By: Mark Giongco - 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines — Gelo Alolino and Alfred Aroga scored 19 points each to lead National University to a 92-76 rout in the 2014 Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup Monday at the Arena in San Juan.

The Bulldogs kept their position at second place with a 3-0 record behind surprise leader Centro Escolar University, which leads Group C with a 4-0 slate.

NU blew the game open in the second half and led, 64-45, entering the fourth period.

“In the first half, they were running against us and scoring in transition,” said NU head coach Eric Altamirano. “I felt we did a good job in the third quarter but I wasn’t happy in the fourth. I thought they (UP) scored a lot.”

The Fighting Maroons did score a bunch – putting up 31 points in the payoff period – after tallying just 32 points in the first half.

And though the Bulldogs weren’t really threatened after taking a double-digit lead, Altamirano won’t tolerate his team being complacent having built a big lead especially with the new UAAP season approaching.

“We want to learn how to finish strong. There will be games in the UAAP where it will be decided in the last five minutes,” said Altamirano.

Alolino also collected six rebounds and five assists while Aroga had 11 rebounds and two blocks.

Dave Moralde and Dario Diego had 16 apiece for the Maroons, who slipped to 1-4.