FilOil: Rono buzzer-beater saves NU as CSB goes down

(Updated 5:16pm) Robin Rono hit a three-pointer at the last second to save the National University Bulldogs from the come-backing College of Saint Benilde Blazers, 70-67, Wednesday, in the FilOil Flying V Hanes Preseason Cup at the FilOil Flying V Arena.

Down by 14 points with four and a half minutes remaining, Mark Romero fired off eight points in a 13-4 run, including back-to-back triples to make it 67-63, with just over a minute to play.

The Bulldogs called a timeout but came up empty on their next two possessions while conceding a fast break lay-up to Dexter Garcia. Benilde then forced a turnover to set up Garcia for a triple with 5.7 seconds remaining, tying the game at 67-67.

The Blazers used their last foul on Ray Ray Parks, leaving three seconds on the clock. Parks took the ball out from the sideline and hit Robin Rono with a pass. Rono then dutifully nailed the three-pointer from the left baseline to deliver the win to National U.

"You don't really know what's going to happen in the game. We thought we were in control heading into the fourth quarter," said NU assistant coach Joey Guanio.

"Di na pinapractice yung mga ganun eh," Guanio said, on the Parks-Rono connection for the winning shot. "They already recognize each other, and they've learned so much from their time together."

"I trust my teammates, I've learned so much since my first year. Even in practice he tells me, 'Bob ready na ako, ready na ako,'" said Parks of his point guard.

National U now ties the Arellano University Chiefs atop the tournament's Group A standings with a 2-0 card, and will play the JRU Heavy Bombers on Saturday. Meanwhile the Blazers lost their debut game and will face those same Chiefs on Friday.

The first quarter was a fast-paced shootout, as Luis Sinco and Ray Ray Parks facilitated the offense for their respective teams as neither squad led by more than three points. But the Bulldogs made a statement when Denice Villamor drained back-to-back triples, and Parks added another with a minute and a half to play for nine unanswered points, 22-15.

The Blazers redeemed themselves however in the final minute, after National U forced them into a 24-second violation, as Jonathan Grey swiped the ball for a breakaway lay-up to beat the quarter buzzer, 22-17.

RJ Agramino opened the second quarter with a trey, followed by a Paolo Taha fast break lay-up to knot the game. But the succeeding minutes were a departure from the first, as the defensive sequences out-shined these on offense. The Bulldogs however were the ones to reemerge ahead, 26-22, on lay-ups by Mark De Guzman and Troy Rosario.

The Bulldogs' offense flowed better halfway through the period, as Rosario buried a jumper from the top of the key. National U took advantage of their agile forward, as he scored eight of their last 12 points in the half, giving them a 38-29 advantage at the break.

NU made 16-of-34 from the field in the first half (47 percent) while the Blazers shot 12-of-30 (40 percent), though Benilde had a 12-6 advantage in turnover points.


When play resumed, the Bulldogs looked for shots early in the clock, finding transition lay-ups or going to Alfred Aroga down low as a secondary option. The big man scored five points to add to the Bulldogs' lead, 45-33.

Benilde persisted against the Bulldogs' tough perimeter defense, as Mark Romero and Fons Saavedra combined for a 9-2 run. The latter hit a triple to bring the deficit back to single digits with under two minutes to play, 48-41. However, the Blazers conceded some ground as an and-one by Gray was offset by Parks charities and a Paolo Javelona basket, as the Bulldogs clung to a 52-44 lead after three quarters.

The Blazers bounced back in the fourth quarter as Sinco and Paolo Taha had consecutive breakaway lay-ups, forcing National U to call a timeout with two minutes gone by. The Bulldogs responded by wearing out their foes on defense, while triples by JJ Alejandro and Javelona added to an 11-2 run, as National U held a 63-50 lead with four and a half minutes to play.

Bobby Ray Parks tallied 15 points in 29 minutes, plus nine rebounds and seven assists. Troy Rosario added 14 points and six boards, while Alfred Aroga and Denice Villamore scored 10 apiece.

Mark Romero led all scorers with 22 points and six rebounds, while point guard Luis Sinco was the only other Blazer in double-digit scoring with 12 points.

The Bulldogs made 8-of-17 attempts from long range (47 percent) to finish 28-of-66 from the field (42 percent). In contrast, the Blazers were 7-of-22 from deep (32 percent) for 26-of-69 overall (38 percent).

Benilde led in turnover points (19-6) and fast break points (18-8) while the Bulldogs had the rebounding edge (46-38).  - AMD, GMA News


The scores:

NU 70 - Parks 15, Rosario 14, Aroga 10, Villamore 10, Javelona 5, Rono 5, Alejandro 5, Javillonar 4, De Guzman 2, Neypes 0

CSB 67 - Romero 22, Sinco 12, Saavedra 9, Grey 7, Garcia 6, Ongtengco 4, Taha 4, Argamino 3, Bartolo 0, Deles 0, Nayve 0, Castor 0

Quarter scoring: 22-17, 38-29, 52-44, 70-67