FILE – John Lloyd Clemente of NU during a UAAP game. INQUIRER/Tristan Tamayo
MANILA, Philippines—JD Cagulangan’s heroics were not to be this time as National University squeaked past University of the Philippines, 74-72, in Group A of the FilOil-EcoOil Preseason Cup.
With the win, the Bulldogs are now the only undefeated team in their group while the Fighting Maroons suffered their first loss after a 5-0 start.
UP, however, had a chance to keep its undefeated streak going but Cagulangan, the hero in the Maroons’ dramatic championship victory in UAAP Season 84, missed the potential game-winning triple as time ran out.
“If it (shot) goes in, it goes in, that was our defensive plan. If this was the UAAP, I would be mad, but this preseason is all about learning. These games are for our learning,” NU head coach Jeff Napa said in the post-game press conference at San Juan Arena on Sunday.
John Lloyd Clemente, LA Casinillo and Steve Nash Enriquez led the way for NU as they combined for 42 points.
The Bulldogs battled back from a double-digit deficit in the second half and stretched their winning streak to four games.
A floater by Enriquez followed by a free throw by Clemente gave NU a 74-72 edge inside the final 30 seconds.
Carl Tamayo, whose 3-pointer made pulled UP within a point, 73-72, posted 24 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort.