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| Mark Olayon continued his sterling form, scoring 17 points in UE's win over NU. (File Photo) |
By Ricky Manliguis
QUEZON CITY—University of the East continued its winning
ways by demolishing National University, 90-77, to book its second consecutive
win in the first game of Saturday’s second round action of the UAAP Season 80
men’s basketball competitions at the Araneta Coliseum.
Riding high from its breakthrough win over University of
Santo Tomas last week, Mark Olayon and the rest of Red Warriors did the damage
in the second half for the Recto-based squad’s first win streak of the season
and a 2-6 win-loss card.
Giving main man Alvin Pasaol the needed rest in the final
quarter, Olayon exploded for 17 points along with six rebounds and eight
assists, while teaming up with Wilson Bartolome, Mark Maloles, and Nick Abanto
in scoring 21 of UE’s 28 fourth-quarter points.
Bartolome finished with 14 points, while Maloles and Abanto
cashed in 13 apiece and a combined 17 boards for UE, which dropped a 17-point loss to NU on opening
weekend.
Pasaol, last week’s Player of the Week with a 40.5 point-per-game
average, played limited minutes due to foul trouble yet still registered 11
markers.
“If we wanna make a run, we know we have to start
the second round on a winning note,” said winning coach Derrick Pumaren. "The second group came in and give Alvin the
needed rest. They were able to deliver and hold the fort for the team."
The Warriors came out with guns ablaze in the
opening moments of the match, but the Bulldogs pulled to within 62-59 at the
end of three quarters before an 11-2 UE spurt led by Olayon killed NU’s hopes
of a comeback.
Issa Gaye scored 20 points and 13 rebounds as the
Bulldogs slipped to 3-5. Jayjay Alejandro also issued a double-double of 16 and
10 with eight assists.
The scores:
UE 90 – Olayon 17, Bartolome 14,
Maloles 13, Abanto 13, Pasaol 11, Manalang 7, Cullar 6, Derige 3, Varilla 2,
Acuno 2, Conner 2.
NU 77 – Gaye 20, Alejandro 16, Bartlett
8, Salem 7, Mosqueda 7, Yu 5, Joson 4, Lastimosa 4, Morido 3, Aquino 3,
Diputado 0, Rangel 0, Tibayan 0, Abatayo 0, Cauilan 0.
Quarterscores: 21-15; 45-36; 62-59; 90-77.
Quarterscores: 21-15; 45-36; 62-59; 90-77.
Follow him on Twitter: @Teaching_Hero
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