NU Bulldogs stays alive for PCCL seat

MANILA, Philippines—National University proved it had more than enough firepower even without UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks Jr.as the Bulldogs repulsed the Lyceum Pirates, 84-74, Tuesday at the start of the Metro Manila qualifying round of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League.

Dennis Villamor and Ajit Singh stepped up in Parks’ absence to send the Bulldogs to another knockout match with University of Manila, which ousted Technological Institute of the Philippines, 78-69, in the first game.

The winner of the Bulldogs-Hawks clash tomorrow will clinch a berth in the Sweet 16 finals, where UAAP champion Ateneo and NCAA titlist San Beda have already secured their spots. Also assured of Sweet 16 slots are NCAA’s San Sebastian, Letran and Jose Rizal U and UAAP’s University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern U and Adamson.

Andrew Rivera shot 23 points to fuel the Hawks, who missed ace point guard Jeff Viernes who is seeing action with Café France in the PBA D-League.

Parks skipped the game to focus on his stint with the Sinag Pilipinas National Team that will see action in the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, University of Northern Philippines swept its first two assignments in the ongoing North-Central Luzon regional games.

The Sharks nipped La Union College of Nursing (Lucnas), 83-81, and edged University of Cordillera, 90-85.

Carrying 1-1 win-loss records are University of Pangasinan and Lucnas.

The scores:
First Game
UM 78—Rivera 23, Torres 16, Ruiz 15, Guti-ay 6, Manuel 5, Ibay 5, Garcia 3, Castro 2, Serrano 1, Flores 0.
TIP 69—Namocatcat 15, Osicos 10, Martines 8, Paulo 7, Medina 6, Viernez 5, Yanez 5, Banez 5, Acebo 4, Dela Punta 2, Perez 2.
Quarters: 22-16, 37-35, 57-54, 78-69
Second Game
NU 84—Villamor 24, Mbe 17, Singh 16, Javillonar 8, Khobuntin 8, Alolino 6, Rono 2, Labing-isa 2, Neypes 2.
LYCEUM 74—Guevarra 15, Mallari 14, Ko 12, Napiza 9, Lacap 8, Zamora 6, Laude 4, Anacta 2, Francisco 2, Azores 2, Lesmoras 0.
Quarters: 19-19, 38-31, 57-55, 84-74