Bulldogs sweep way to quarterfinals top spot

MANILA, Philippines — National U fended off University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 87-82, and completed a sweep of Group A at the close of its Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup elimination campaign yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Team captain John Lloyd Clemente dropped 21 points in 21 minutes to banner five Bulldogs in twin digits as they clinched the top seeding in Group A entering the quarterfinals.

Germy Mahinay (12), PJ Palacielo (12), Steve Nash Enriquez (11) and Michael John Malonzo (10) were also instrumental for NU, which clawed back from an 80-71 deficit early in the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs, whose unbeaten campaign included a big win over reigning UAAP champion University of the Philippines, uncorked a 16-2 closeout highlighted by Clemente’s insurance free throws in the waning seconds.

Joining the Bulldogs as Group A quarterfinalists are UP, Adamson and College of St. Benilde with two teams which have yet to catch the last bus in Group B led by La Salle and Lyceum.

Later, San Sebastian (3-3) bolstered its bid for one of those last two tickets with a 69-64 win over Letran (3-3) to gain a share of fourth place.