NU nears elims sweep with rout of EAC; San Beda picks second win

National University moved a win away from completing a sweep of the elimination round of the FilOil EcoOil 15th Preseason Cup after an 89-77 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College on Wednesday.

The Bulldogs didn't waste time asserting its dominance over the Generals, building an early 52-30 lead at halftime as EAC struggled to chop down its deficit to a single digit. NU also led by as much as 24, 79-55, following a jumper from John Lloyd Clemente midway through the fourth.

John Galinato led NU with 12 points off the bench while Clemente and Ian Manansala each poured 10 markers in the victory that improved them to 7-0 in Group A.

Before heading to the quarterfinals, NU will first play against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA on Thursday to wrap up the elimination.

Earlier, San Beda University bounced back from a previous loss after pulling off an 88-69 triumph over Jose Rizal University in a heated clash.

The Red Lions were leading by 20, 62-42, late in the third period before the Heavy Bombers staged a huge rally that cut their deficit to just six, 68-62, with 7:53 left to spare in the fourth.

But the Mendiola crew ignited from the rainbow country, notching four three-pointers since that juncture to put the game away.

Veteran Peter Alfaro led San Beda with 15 points, three assists, and three rebounds while James Kwekuteye and Justine Sanches each finished with 13 markers as they improved to 2-2 in Group B. — LA, GMA News

The Scores:

SAN BEDA 88 - Alfaro 15, Kwekuteye 13, Sanchez 13, Bahio 11, Cuntapay 10, Cortez 9, Ynot 6, Cometa 4, Andrada 3, Visser 2, Jopia 2, Tagala 0, Llarena 0, Tagle 0

JRU 69 - Dela Rosa 19, Miranda 11, Medina 8, Dionisio 7, Sy 6, Guiab 6, Amores 4, Villarin 3, Gonzales 2, De Jesus 2, Celis 1, De Leon 0, Abaoag 0, Tan 0

Quarters: 19-9, 45-33, 66-56, 88-69

The Scores:
NU 89 -- Galinato 12, Clemente 10, Manansala 10, Padrones 7, Casinillo 7, Palacielo 5, Figueroa 5, Libang 5, Mahinay 5, Ramos 4, Tulabut 4, Tibayan 4, Malonzo 4, John 4, Enriquez 2, Minerva 1.

EAC 77 -- Liwag 18, Robin 15, Luciano 13, Maguliano 10, Cosa 9, Gurtiza 6, Balowa 2, Umpad 2, Bacud 2, Tolentino 0, Ad. Doria 0, Bajon 0, An. Doria 0, Dominguez 0.

Quarters: 19-19, 52-30, 70-53, 89-77.