UE, NU seize share of UAAP lead

MANILA, Philippines—Two under-the-radar squads grabbed a share of  top spot after posting emphatic wins over separate opponents in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

National University, hardly given a hard look this season following the departure of two-time MVP Ray Parks, leaned on Gelo Alolino and Troy Rosario anew to carve out a 70-59 triumph over University of the Philippines.

And University of the East, also seen as a dark horse under new coach Derrick Pumaren, clobbered Adamson, 99-72, after turning its game around in the second half behind Bong Galanza and Roi Sumang.

The Bulldogs and the Warriors, who both won their first two games in double figures, claimed a piece of the No. 1 spot with 2-0 records.

“We’re not thinking about that,” NU coach Eric Altamirano said of their early lead just a week after his Bulldogs also unexpectedly whipped last year’s finalist University of Santo Tomas, 59-40.

Alolino topscored for the Bulldogs anew with 20 points while Rosario, who teamed up with Alfred Aroga in a third-quarter breakaway, added 17  and grabbed nine rebounds.

The Warriors outscored the Falcons, 30-12, in the third quarter starting with a 12-0 outburst to erect a 17-point advantage by the end of the period, 69-52, after trailing at the half, 39-40.

Galanza drilled 12 of his 16 points from three-point range, while Sumang unloaded 10 of his 15 points in the pivotal third period while dishing out six assists.

“We were out of our rhythm in the first half, they (Falcons) were able to slow us down,” said Pumaren.

“I talked to the boys at halftime to seize the opportunity to get our second win and they responded to the challenge.”

The scores:

First Game

NU 70—Alolino 20, Rosario 17, Aroga 16, Khobuntin 6, Perez 3, Alejandro 2, Atangan 2, Diputado 2, Neypes 2, Celda 0, Javelona 0.

UP 59—Moralde 15, Gallarza 10, Reyes 8, Lao 8, Dario 6, Gingerich 5, Vito 4, Juruena 2, Asilum 1, Harris 0.

Quarters: 18-19, 37-33, 57-44, 70-59

Second Game

UE 99—Galanza 16, Sumang 15, Jumao-as 12, Alberto 9, Javier 9, Varilla 9, De Leon 8, Mammie 6, Arafat 6, Cudal 4, Olayon 3, Charcos 2, Derige 0, Hernandez 0, Palma 0.

ADAMSON 72—Polican 16, Trollano 14, Rios 13, Iñigo 10, Villanueva 8, Pedrosa 5, Monteclaro 3, Nalos 3, Aquino 0, Barrera 0, Baytan 0, Butron 0, Gumtang 0, Ochea 0.

Quarters: 25-20, 39-40, 69-52, 99-72