NU coach Jeff Napa during a timeout. Photo from Filoil
MANILA, Philippines—National University extended its winning streak to seven after beating Emilio Aguinaldo College, 89-77, in Group A of the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup at San Juan Arena on Wednesday.
The undefeated Bulldogs had a stellar second quarter that proved to be the critical stretch in the game as they went on cruise control the rest of the way.
“To us, the game does not end in the first quarter or the first half. It always ends in the fourth quarter and the last buzzer. I know my boys, once I spark that flame in them, they’ll put efforts to bounce back from whatever their mistakes are,” NU head coach Jeff Napa said.
NU flipped the switch in the second quarter where it outscored EAC, 33-11, and left the Generals in the dust for a 52-30 advantage at the half.
The Bulldogs, who lost Senegalese big man Omar John in the first quarter due to a disqualifying foul, drew 68 bench points compared to the Generals’ 32. They also shot 50.8 percent from the field.
John Martin Galinato spearheaded the Bulldogs with 12 points while John Lloyd Clemente had 10.
Allen Liwag registered a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds while Ralph Vincent Robin scored 15 for EAC (3-4).