Bulldogs nip Falcons, keep Filoil slate clean

GLEN Khobuntin of NU (left) twists in midair as he tries to shoot off the defense of Adamson’s Eric Camson. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

EMMANUEL Mbe found himself with the loose ball and turned it as the  game-winner with 1.4 seconds left as National University nipped Adamson, 69-67, yesterday to complete an 8-0 elimination sweep in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

Mbe, who scored the Bulldogs’ last six points in the final 53 seconds, nailed the decider deep in the post after recovering possession when teammate Jeoff Javillonar’s attempt  got deflected.

“We learned how to execute in the endgame, last year that was our waterloo,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano. “The players were poised and calm.”

Mbe finished with 26 markers, including eight of the Bulldogs’ 10 fourth-quarter points, and added 13 rebounds.

In Group A, Perpetual Help snapped a five-game losing skid with a 63-59 triumph over Mapua.

Jett Vidal fired 16 points, while big man Femi Babayemi had 13 points, 13 boards and three blocks as the Altas tied their victims at 1-5.

The Bulldogs’ perfect elimination run in Group B came a day before the squad left for a two-week training in China.

Ray Parks had 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Bulldogs.

The Falcons dropped to 2-3. With reports from Jan Ballesteros,  Rodolfo Lozada and Randolph Leongson

The scores:

First Game

PERPETUAL 63—Vidal 16, Babayemi 13, Arboleda 10, Alano 10, Paulino 8, Baloria 3, Canuza 2, Parico 1, Elorpe 0, Thompson 0, Jolangcob 0, Asuncion 0, Cenita 0.

MAPUA 59—G. Banal 21, Saitanan 8, J. Banal 7, Parala 6, Nimes 6, Brana 4, Stevens 3, Estrella 3, Eriobu 1, Chien 0, Ighalo 0.

Quarters: 9-10, 26-29, 45-42, 63-59

Second Game

NU 69—Mbe 26, Parks 12, Javillonar 9, Alolino 6, Betayene 6, De Guzman 3, Labing-isa 3, Villamor 2, Celda 2, Rono 0, Khobuntin 0, Neypes 0, Singh 0.

ADAMSON 67—Camson 16, Nuyles 12, Brondial 11, Cabrera 8, Etrone 8, Cruz 4, Petilos 3, Julkipli 2, Abrigo 2, Cabigas 1, Trollano 0, Monteclaro 0, Agustin 0.

Quarters: 19-10, 37-33, 59-47, 69-67