Bulldogs toy with Falcons, win second straight

For National University coach Eric Altamirano, it’s all about making the follow through.

Banking on a ferocious third quarter onslaught, the Bulldogs coasted to their second straight win Sunday night by whipping Adamson Falcons 77-62 in the UAAP Season 75 men’s basketball action at the MOA Arena.

Proving their 61-57 victory over formidable Far Eastern University last Thursday was not a fluke, the Bulldogs completely turned a tight game into a rout with a 27-point barrage in the third canto, enough to gain their fourth win against two defeats.

Cameroon import Emmanue Mbe typified NU’s domination with 20 points and 15 rebounds while reigning MVP Bobby Ray Parks added 12 markers, 11 boards and five assists that left Altamirano in high spirits.

“We talked about the follow through. Especially sa shooting nila and also about making a follow through on our win against FEU. That’s why we treated this game as very important,” he stressed.

Starting guard Gelo Alolino scattered six of his eight points for the Bulldogs, whose game-long domination was clearly validated in the post-game stat sheet: 48-36 rebounding edge, 23-13 assists advantage and 18-4 edge in turnover points.
“We started strong and we’re able to sustain it. The boys were very focused and they responded well,” added Altamirano.

Eric Camson struggled with just 13 points and eight rebounds for the Falcons, who failed to give a fitting follow-up to their 69-67 squeaker over University of the Philippines last July 29.

Aside from dropping their third game in four starts, the Falcons also lost ace guard Alex Nuyles to a right wrist injury in the early goings.

Taking advantage of Nuyles’ absence, the Bulldogs brandished their full bite in the third, with Alolino’s lay-up giving them a 55-34 lead. A trey by Dennice Villamor enabled NU to enjoy its biggest lead at 62-38.

The Falcons tried hard to make it an entertaining game in the payoff canto, cutting the deficit to just 59-75, but Mbe virtually wrapped it up with a statement dunk at the 2:29 mark.