National University held Far Eastern scoreless in the stretch on Tuesday to notch its first win in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, an 82-77 decision.
The Bulldogs forced the Tamaraws to two 24-second violations to erase a 77-72 deficit and improve to 1-1.
“It was a tough and hard-earned win, and I am proud of how we never stopped battling for the ball,” coach Jamike Jarin said.
“We got some pointers from assistant coaches Jeff Napa and Danny Ildefonso that helped us turn the game around, so credit also goes to them and the 19 guys on our bench.”
Adamson, meanwhile, rebounded from a heartbreaking loss the last time out by clipping College of Saint Benilde, 82-75.
The Falcons also improved to 1-1, while the Blazers are tied with the Tamaraws at 0-2.
FEU took that five-point lead after five straight Wendell Comboy points. But the Tamaraws would never score again.
Rookie Robert Minerva hit a free throw to touch off a 10-0 closing run.
Returning point guard Chino Mosqueda picked FEU counterpart LJ Gonzales’ pockets for a layup, 77-75, time down to 1:55.
Issa Gaye had a dunk that tied the score at 77, before the second of those 24-second violations was called on the Tamaraws.
Dave Ildefonso split his free throws to give NU the lead going into the final 20 seconds, before another brilliant stop led to a John Lloyd Clemente triple that put the game to bed.
Ildefonso led NU with 19 points, with Minerva adding 14. Clemente finished with 10.
The much-improved Alec Stockton led FEU with 15 points, while Comboy finished with 13. Barkley Eboña contributed 10.
Earlier, UP’s Joe Gomez de Liaño defeated Arellano University’s Justin Araña, 8-6, in the Hanes One-On-One King of the Hardcourt.
In the Juniors Division, Lyceum of the Philippines defeated upset-minded Ateneo, 89-74, behind the 25 points of John Barba and the 23 of Mac Guadaña.
The Perpetual Help Junior Altas also won, 81-70, over the FEU Baby Tamaraws to remain undefeated at 3-0 in the high school division. FEU fell to 1-1.