NU Bulldogs dispatch Adamson Falcons for second straight win

MANILA, Philippines – The National University Bulldogs won their second consecutive game and improved to 2-3 in the UAAP Season 78 senior’s basketball tournament following an impressive 75-54 victory over the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Wednesday, September 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Led by the all-around play of reigning finals MVP Alfred Aroga, the league’s defending champions started the third quarter strong to establish a double-digit lead and didn’t look back until the final buzzer.

Aroga registered 16 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists for the Bulldogs, who limited their opponents to 9 points in the second quarter to go ahead 33-28 at the half. 

Gelo Alolino had another impressive outing for his team as he accounted for 10 points and 6 boards. Raph Tansingco also played well, finishing with 10 points on 63% shooting and 7 rebounds.

National U had their best shooting game of the season by making 47% of their attempts despite going just 3-of-12 from long range. At least 6 points each was scored by 7 Bulldogs.

Adamson was playing without their head coach Mike Fermin, who was suspended for the game after receiving two technical fouls and an ejection in his team’s last match against La Salle.

Under UAAP rules, an ejection from a game leads to an automatic suspension.

(READ: Adamson coach Fermin accepts suspension, but seeks clarification)

The Soaring Falcons, who fell to 0-5 with the loss, were led by the 11 points and 2 boards of Ivan Villanueva. Pape Sarr, who was vastly outplayed by Aroga, also pitched in by accounting for 9 points and 7 rebounds.

NU extended their 5-point lead to open the third quarter to double digits right away thanks to their superb defense. Adamson, who shot 32% for the entire game, was limited to just 12 points in the third quarter.

The Soaring Falcons misfired from downtown as well, going just 4-of-22. They didn’t do much better at the charity stripe, where they made just 10 of 19 free throw attempts.

National U continued to struggle with taking care of the ball as they turned it over 18 times – 8 coming from Aroga and Alolino. But they did force Adamson into coughing the handle up 19 times, leading to 16 points.

The Bulldogs have the chance to improve to .500 when they face the UP Fighting Maroons on Saturday, September 26. While NU will enter the game with momentum, it’s going to be opposite for UP, who’s currently in a two-game losing skid.

Adamson, on the other hand, will face the 4-1 FEU Tamaraws next on Sunday, September 27.

Scores:

NU (75): Aroga 16, Alolino 10, Tansingco 10, Celda 8, Diputado 7, Javelona 6, Yu 6, Salim 5, Abatayo 3, De Castro 2, Morido 2, Neypes 0, Alejandro 0, Lastimosa 0, Rangel 0, Javillonar 0

AdU (54): Villanueva 11, Sarr 9, Nalos 7, Polican 6, Ochea 6, Garcia 4, Margallo 3, Escalambre 3, Ng 2, Camacho 2, Bernardo 1, Tungcab 0, Fernadez 0

Quarter scores: 17-19, 33-28, 54-40, 75-54

– Rappler.com