MANILA, Philippines — Troy Rosario sparked a second-half surge as National University rebounded from its first loss with a 60-52 drubbing of Emilio Aguinaldo College in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup Friday.
Rosario, who topscored with 18, fueled a 10-2 run late in the third quarter for a 45-36 NU advantage as the Bulldogs kept the lead on the way to their fourth triumph in five games in Group C at Filoil Flying V Arena.
“One thing I really liked today was our ability to bounce back from a loss,” said coach Eric Altamirano after his Bulldogs recovered from a recent upset, 58-61, dealt by Centro Escolar University.
Earlier, Lyceum blew a double-digit lead in the final two minutes, but held on to escape with a 66-64 decision over the short-handed Letran in Group B action.
Guy Mbida, Dexter Zamora and Rhoel Maconocido fired 12 points each to lead the Pirates, who wrapped up their elimination campaign with a 4-2 record.
The Pirates looked headed for an easy victory after erecting a 65-55 lead with two minutes left, before the Knights unleashed a spirited fight despite the absence of key cogs Mark Cruz and Kevin Racal.
A Rey Nambatac putback with 11.6 seconds to go trimmed the deficit to one, 65-64, but the Knights later blew a chance to grab the lead when Jamil Gabawan turned the ball over with 2.3 ticks left.
Lyceum’s Joseph Gabayani split his two free throw attempts for the final tally. With reports from Paul Lintag and Vinz Lamorena
The scores:
First Game
LYCEUM 66—Zamora 12, Mbida 12, Maconocido 12, Ko 10, Bulawan 5, Baltazar 3, Gabayani 3, Lesmoras 3, Taladua 3, Azores 2, Soliman 1.
LETRAN 64—Gabawan 12, Quinto 10, Punlico 9, Nambatac 6, Ruaya 6, Luib 5, Singontiko 5, Calvo 4, Apreku 3, Pantin 2, Sumalakay 2.
Quarters: 15-9, 28-27, 50-44, 66-64
Second Game
NU 60—Rosario 18, Khobuntin 8, Celda 8, Alolino 6, Alejandro 6, Javelona 6, Atangan 3, Diputado 2, Salim 2, Aroga 1. EAC 52—Arquero 16, Jamon 10, Onwubere 9, Santos 6, Morada 6, Serrano 3, Pascual 2. Quarters: 12-16, 31-29, 45-36, 60-52