NU Bulldogs’ Jay-J Alejandro. INQUIRER.net File photo/Tristan Tamayo
National University began its trip to the Elite Eight of the National Collegiate Championship with an emphatic 99-51 rout of PATTS College of Aeronautics Thursday at Technological Institute of the Philippines Gym in Quiapo, Manila.
Jay-J Alejandro was impeccable from beyond the arc in the middle quarters and joined forces with Rev Diputado, Tzaddy Rangel and Dave Yu that enabled the Bulldogs to charge ahead and break the game wide open.
When the Bulldogs slowed down early in the fourth, they already built a 52-point bulge, an advantage that doomed the Sea Horses for good.
Alejandro fired 25 points after nailing five of NU’s eight three-pointers, Diputado contributed 10 while Rangel and Yu had nine points each.
The Bulldogs, last year’s UAAP champions who ended their quest for another title run in the Final Four this season, rattled off 27 points on the break.
They also forced the Sea Horses into committing 19 turnovers and muscled their way inside with 52 points in the paint. Cymon Reed scored 13 points and Joshua Diaz added 7 for the Sea Horses.
NU’s victory was a warm-up for Saturday’s back-breaking duel with the Jose Rizal U Heavy Bombers, who also dumped the Sea Horses on Wednesday.
Bracketed in Group B, the winner between the Bulldogs and the Heavy Bombers face South Luzon-Bicol champion Olivarez College on Sunday with the survivor punching a ticket to the Elite Eight set to kick off Dec. 14.
Already seeded in the Elite Eight are UAAP champion FEU, NCAA champion Letran, UAAP runner-up UST, NCAA runner-up San Beda College and Cesafi champion University of San Carlos.
One more team from the Visayas-Mindanao qualifier and two from the Luzon-Metro Manila qualifiers will complete the Elite Eight cast.
Terrence Tumalip had 14 points and 11 rebounds as Technological Institute of the Philippines edged St. Claire, 62-59, in the other game.
The Engineers, who defeated Mapua the other day, topped Group A and will dispute one of two available Luzon-Metro Manila slots in the Elite Eight with Lyceum Northwestern University in the next round come Sunday.
The scores:
First Game
NU 99—Alejandro 25, Diputado 10, Rangel 9, Yu 9, Abatayo 7, Aquino 6, Aroga 5, Pate 5, De Castro 5, Gallego 4, Morido 4, Cinco 4, Tansiangco 3, Salem 2, Salim 1, Lastimosa 0.
PATTS 51—Reed 13, Diaz 7, Velasco 7, Cayson 7, Fandialan 6, Calubag 5, Capinding 2, Orada 2, Borja 2, Beltran 0, Loyola 0, Noble 0, Pimentel 0.
Quarters: 19-14, 44-27, 74-37, 99-51
Second Game
TIP 62—Namocatcat 14, Tumalip 14, Napoles 10, Ibanes 7, Alvarado 6, Alcober 6, Okoronkwo 4, Gadon 1, Lara 0, Akrupu 0, Benavides 0, Roldan 0.
ST. CLAIRE 59—Galvelo 13, Fongue 12, Tecson 8, Dionisio 7, Santos 5, Mendoza 4, Managuelod 4, Tero 4, Puspus 2, Hallare 0, De Leon 0.
Quarters: 16-10, 29-all, 48-47, 62-59