Defense keys NU rout of Adamson

By Josiah Albelda Posted Aug 18th 2013

He might be sounding like a broken record, but as long as National University is following its coach's orders on defense, then Eric Altamirano wouldn't mind spitting out cliche after cliche.

"It sounds like a cliche but I think we were able to do it on defense," Altamirano said after the Bulldogs annihilated Adamson University in an 80-48 humdinger Sunday in the 76th UAAP men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

NU held the Soaring Falcons to only 18 field goals all game long while forcing their foes to commit 23 turnovers en route to holding Adamson to the lowest output by a team this season.

"It all went down to stops," Altamirano added. "Fortunately, we were able to get some shots in transition. That really helped us."

The Bulldogs outscored the Falcons, 49-15, in the first and fourth quarters, imposing their might against a hapless and out-of-focus San Marcelino crew.

Jean Mbe silenced both Ingrid Sewa and Rodney Brondial as the Cameroonian exploded with 21 points on nine of 13 shooting while also hauling 10 boards and getting four steals.

Ray Parks also shot above 50% for the first time this season, making seven of 12 shots in posting 16 points, six rebounds and five assists to help NU secure its sixth win of the tournament.

"I'm very proud of the boys because we executed the game plan very well," Altamirano said. "We played smart. We were able to take away the things that they were doing well."

The Bulldogs went off the races and posted 23 fastbreak points, worked hard to get 12 second-chance points and took advantage of every opportunity to register 20 markers off turnovers.

NU outrebounded Adamson, 41-30, while also teaming up to dish out 22 assists to the Falcons' 10.

Roider Cabrera fired three triples to lead Adamson with 12 points but did not get enough support from his teammates as they fell to their fourth straight loss and a 3-6 record.

Coming off a 19-point, 23-rebound game, Rodney Brondial was doomed to just five points and one rebound as the Bulldogs' defense ganged up on him.

The scores:

NU (80) - Mbe 21, Parks 16, Rono 8, Porter 6, Javillonar 6, Alolino 6, Rosario 5, Khobuntin 4, Neypes 3, Javelona 3, Villamor 2, Perez 0, Labing-isa 0, De Guzman 0, Alejandro 0

Adamson (48) - Cabrera 12, Cruz 11, Sewa 8, Petilos 5, Brondial 5, Garcia 2, Agustin 2, Abrigo 2, Monteclaro 1, Trollano 0, Rios 0, Ochea 0, Julkipli 0, Inigo 0

Quarters: 21-7, 37-26, 55-40, 80-48