Bulldogs try to topple Scorpions from perch

MANILA, Philippines — National University gets to test surprise Group C leader Centro Escolar University as the two unbeaten teams collide in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup Wednesday.

The Bulldogs hope to go 4-0 and wrest the top spot from the Scorpions, who are vying for a fifth straight triumph in the 12:30 p.m. match at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

In other matches, Jose Rizal U and Perpetual Help both aim for a fourth win in Group A at 4 p.m., while Letran and St. Clare target a second victory each in Group B at 2:15 p.m.

Even without collegiate star Ray Parks, the Bulldogs have carried on admirably with Gelo Alolino, Glenn Khobuntin, Troy Rosario and Alfred Aroga leading the charge.

“The points will come from different people, but what’s important is we focus on our defense,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano.

CEU coach Egay Macaraya thinks the Bulldogs still boast a solid lineup even minus Parks, the two-time UAAP MVP who opted to forgo his playing years to train in the United States.

“They are a difficult matchup because they can play you in a running game or a half-court game,” said Macaraya.

But the Scorpions, the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (Naascu) champion, have shone in the tournament with Rodrigue Ebondo, Mon Abundo, Alfred Batino and Joseph Sedurifa at the helm.

The Scorpions rolled to their fourth straight win with a 74-61 rout of General Santos City’s Holy Trinity College last week.

Perpetual Help, meanwhile, tries to get back on track after absorbing a 77-79 defeat to Cebu’s Southwestern University.

Juneric Baloria and Harold Arboleda hope to lead the Altas past an unpredictable NCAA foe in the Bombers, who were dealt a 78-99 whipping by the University of the East Warriors.