CAMEROONIAN Alfred Aroga helped National University find their rhythm in the second half as the Bulldogs drubbed Arellano, 86-71, to stay unbeaten in seven games in Group A of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena.
Aroga, a 6-foot-6 rookie center, finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds while Jay Alejandro, another freshman guard, also delivered with 12 markers.
“We tried to regroup on offense and limit our turnovers,” NU coach Eric Altamirano said of the turnaround that started quickly after the break with a 10-0 blast, seven coming from Aroga.
Earlier, University of Santo Tomas remarkably rallied from 17 points down in the last seven minutes for a 78-77 escape over Letran in Group B action.
Clark Bautista nailed the game-winning layup with 3.7 ticks left just seconds after Kevin Ferrer scored off a steal that pushed the Tigers within a point, 76-77.
RR Garcia also came through the clutch to lift Far Eastern U past University of the Philippines, 71-66, in another Group A match.
Mike Tolomia and Anthony Hargrove combined for 24 points and Garcia added eight markers, the last on a baseline drive with 26.6 seconds left, to power the Tamaraws to a 3-2 card. With reports from Carla Perez and Nikka Valenzuela
The scores:
First Game
UST 78—Mariano 18, Bautista 17, Ferrer 15, Daquioag 9, Lo 6, Pe 4, Hainga 4, Tan 3, Gavia 2, Sheriff 0, Marata 0, Lao 0, Faundo 0.
LETRAN 77—Almazan 17, Cruz 13, Gabawan 13, Nambatac 8, Buenaflor 7, Luib 6, Publico 4, Po 3, Castro 2, Ruaya 2, Dysam 2.
Quarters: 21-23, 43-39, 52-61, 78-77
Second Game
NU 86—Aroga 22, Alejandro 12, Villamor 10, Parks 9, Rosario 9, Alolino 7, Roño 6, Javillonar 6, De Guzman 3, Neypes 2, Labing-isa 0, Khobuntin 0, Perez 0, Javelona 0
ARELLANO 71—Forrester 15, Pinto 15, Caperal 11, Nicholls 7, Agovida 6, Enriquez 6, Jalalon 5, Bangga 5, Margallo 1, Salcedo 0, Cadavis 0
Quarters: 26-16, 43-39, 73-58, 86-71
Third Game
FEU 71—Tolomia 15, Hargrove 9, Garcia 8, Escoto 8, Mendoza 6, Dennison 6, Pogoy 5, Belo 4, Cruz 4, Iñigo 2, Sentcheu 2, Jose 2, Aguilon 0, Lee Yu 0
UP 66—Marata 23, Ball 17, Soyud 8, Pascual 7, Gingerich 3, Reyes 2, Asilum 2, Lao 2, Gallarza 1, Desiderio 1, Wong 0, Amar 0, Ligad 0, Suarez 0, Paras 0, Harris 0
Quarters: 16-14, 32-36, 52-48, 71-66