HARDLY needing a dominating game from Bobby Ray Parks, National University forged an 82-52 rout of Lyceum yesterday and stretched its unbeaten run to seven games in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup.
Emmanuel Mbe posted a double-double performance with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Mark de Guzman had 15 points on a 6-of-10 shooting to help the Bulldogs pull away early in the game.
Arellano, though, rose from a 12-point deficit to hack out a 76-74 decision over Jose Rizal University in the second game at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Rocky Acidre took charge of the comeback, knocking down four triples for 20 points that went along with six assists and three steals.
In the final seniors match, RR Garcia pumped in 18 of his 22 points from beyond the arc to lift Far Eastern University past St. Benilde, 74-67.
Center Anthony Hargrove also had 13 markers and nine boards for the Tamaraws, who streaked to their straight victory for a 3-1 record.
The Chiefs improved to a 2-2 slate even minus coach Koy Banal, who served the first of his two-game suspension for figuring in a recent on-court brawl.
“I told the veterans, especially Rocky and Isiah (Ciriacruz) that they should lead the team in this game,” said Arellano assistant coach Eric Gonzales.
The unbeaten Bulldogs leaned on their steady-shooting with De Guzman unleashing two triples in a big third-quarter run that gave them a 27-point spread, 64-37, going into the last frame.
Parks, the reigning UAAP MVP, had 13 points, including a three-point play at the 2:37 mark that kept the Bulldogs far from reach, 77-49.
“Whatever we gain would be translated in the UAAP so we’re trying to pace the team,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano. “I just wish the hunger (to play) will not disappear.”
With reports from Jan Ballesteros, Rodolfo Lozada and Randolph Leongson
The scores:
First Game
NU 82–Mbe 16, De Guzman 15, Parks 13, Ignacio 9, Labing-isa 8, Villamor 6, Javillonar 4, Alolino 4, Celda 3, Rono 2, Singh 2, Betayene 0, Neypes 0, Khobuntin 0.
LYCEUM 52–Cayabyab 16, Guevarra 12, Ko 6, Laude 5, Francisco 5, Ambohot 3, Mendoza 3, Garcia 2, Azores 0, Mallari 0, Edding 0, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 17-16, 38-28, 64-37, 82-52
Second Game
ARELLANO 76—Acidre 20, Salcedo 19, Forrester 14, Pinto 8, Caperal 6, Malanday 5, Hernandez 2, Bangga 2, Ciriacruz 0, Lunas 0, Casiño 0, Suarez 0, Palma 0, Valera 0.
JRU 74—Matute 21, Lopez 15, Villarias 12, Almario 9, Munez 4, Salaveria 2, Mabulac 2, Camasura 2, Dela Paz 2, Paniamogan 2, Maconocido 2, Monserat 1, Carampil 0.
Quarters: 14-20, 29-38, 53-61, 76-74
Third Game
FEU 74—Garcia 22, Hargrove 13, Tolomia 11, Pogoy 6, Romeo 6, M. Bringas 6, Mendoza 5, Belo 2, A. Bringas 2, Escoto 1, Cruz 0, Jumao-as 0.
ST. BENILDE 67—Tolentino 16, Grey 14, Romero 10, Bartolo 6, Taha 6, Sinco 5, Garcia 4, Maconocido 2, R. Lastimosa 2, Carlos 2, Tan 0, Altamirano 0, Ongteco 0, Dela Paz 0.
Quarters: 21-16, 44-34, 65-50, 74-67