National University’s Alfred Aroga. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
TANAUAN CITY—National U exploded with a sudden burst of energy and demolished Jose Rizal University, 79-69, Saturday to advance in the final round of the Luzon-Metro Manila Qualifying Games of the National Collegiate Championship.
Skipper Jay-J Alejandro fired 19 points for the Bulldogs before a sellout crowd at the Faith Gym here but the turning point came midway in the third period when coach Eric Altamirano fielded back bigmen Alfred Aroga and Matthew Aquino.
Trailing by three after John Paolo Pontejos buried triples for the Heavy Bombers in succession, the Bulldogs charged ahead anchored on the heady plays Adven Jess Diputado and Alejandro.
By the time the Bulldogs took a breather from that long run, they were already way ahead, 54-42, capped by Aquino’s barreling move inside.
The Bulldogs face Southern Luzon-Bicol champion Olivarez College Sunday to dispute one of the two remaining Elite Eight spots from the Luzon-Metro Manila area.
Technological Institute of the Philippines, which defeated Mapua and St. Claire, aims to punch the last Elite Eight ticket against Lyceum Northwestern University, the Northern-Central Luzon champion.
“We we’re able to handle the pressure very well and prevented them (Heavy Bombers) from coming back,’’ said Alejandro.
Notorious for pulling off reversals, the Heavy Bombers seemed headed toward that direction through the efforts of Bernabe Teodoro, Abdouladif Poutouochi and Pontejos.
John Ervin Grospe’s free throws and a three by Teodoro pulled the Heavy Bombers within eight after the Bulldogs protected a double-digit advantage for long stretches.
But Aquino’s third triple of the game from atop the arc pushed the Bulldogs beyond reach, 73-61, two minutes and 16 seconds remaining.
Already seeded in the Elite Eight are UAAP champion FEU, NCAA champion Letran, UAAP runner-up UST, NCAA runner-up San Beda College, Cesafi champion University of San Carlos and University of Visayas.
The Elite Eight begins Monday with UV facing the winner between TIP and Lyceum while USC takes on the survivor in the NU-Olivarez tussle.
Scores
NU 79—Alejandro 19, Aquino 15, Diputado 11, Morido 8, Aroga 7, Gallego 5, Salem 4, Pate 4, Rangel 4, Yu 2, Abatayo 0, Salim 0, Lastimosa 0, Cinco 0.
JRU 69—Pontejos 22, Teodoro 14, Mendoza 10, Poutouochi 9, Dela Virgen 6, Grospe 4, Dela Paz 2, Cruz 2, AbdulWahab 0, Aurin 0, Estrella 0, Astilla 0, Benemerito 0.
Quarters: 13-15, 31-28, 57-46, 79-69