Bulldogs pip winless Falcons

Raging Bulldog Alfred Aroga Ric Arlos

By John Paul Marquez

PASAY--National University triumphed in its battle against Adamson University, 75-54 in UAAP Season 78 at the Mall Of Asia Arena on Wednesday night.

Cameroonian Alfred Aroga led the Bulldogs with 16 points together with eight rebounds and four assists and held his rival Papi Sarr to only nine points.

The first quarter was a tight one as both teams forced three deadlocks

The Soaring Falcons took a 19-17 lead at the end of the period courtesy of a getaway dunk by Sarr, but that was the last time they tasted a lead.

The defending champions had a 14-0 run in the second quarter to lead, 31-19. Gelo Alolino led the run for the Bulldogs.

But Sarr and company still had the will to get back on the game, cutting the lead at the end of second quarter, 33-28.

NU made a surge in the second half, and newcomer Dave Yu capped the run with back-to-back shots outside the arc to put the champions in a comfortable 20-point lead, 62-42.

Sarr wanted to find a way to get Adamsonback on track, but Kyle Neypes came with a rejection and NU held on and stopped its opponent from getting its first victory.

Gelo Alolino also contributed with 10 points for the National University as it improved to 2-3, keeping Adamson still winless at 0-5.

Box 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

Adamson 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, Fernandez 0

Quarterscores: 17-19, 33-28, 54-40, 75-54

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