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THE University of the Philippines won’t go home empty-handed in this year’s Filoil Flying V Preseason Invitational.

The Fighting Maroons notched their first win in their last game by narrowly defeating the National University Bulldogs, 71-70, last June 7, 2008 at the Arena in San Juan, and denied coach Manny Dandan’s squad the tourney’s last quarterfinal ticket.

State U’s Paul Sorongon, Martin Reyes and Arvin Braganza each hit important baskets in the last two minutes to help secure the win, with Braganza’s lay-up serving as the go-ahead basket to put UP on top and seal the final score with 14 ticks remaining in the clock.

NU’s Marc Joseph Berry tried to save the Bulldogs but State U’s pesky defense forced him to commit a turnover that ended the Sampaloc dribblers’ run with a 2-5 record, in the process towing the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers into the last eight.

This seemed academic, however, since the Bulldogs had to win by at least 28 points to kick JRU out of the tournament and qualify for the knockout quarterfinal round that begins this Tuesday, June 10.

“It’s good to win our first game despite losing six in a row,” said newly-appointed Maroons coach Aboy Castro. “It only means we can win, so we need [an] extra push for our preparation to hone us before the UAAP begins.”

Reyes, a former De La Salle Zobel Junior Archer, took charge for UP by hitting 15 points, including two triples, while the 6-foot-1 Sorongon had 12 points. Veteran Jay Agbayani added 11 points to help UP end the elimination round with a 1-6 record.

UP cruised to a 19-10 first quarter lead, thanks to pinpoint perimeter shooting. The first half ended at 31-28, with Reyes and center Magi Sison combining for eight points ion a crucial three-minute stretch.

NU big man Raymond Aguilar, who had nine points, kept the game close at the end of the third quarter, 50-49, with both squads exchanging baskets until the Fighting Maroons took command late in the game.

Guard Elmer Fabule led the Bulldogs with 20 points.

Individual Scores:

UP 71: Reyes 15, Sorongon 12, Agbayani 11, Astorga 8, Sison 7, Co 6, Gamboa 5, Braganza 4, De Asis 3.

NU 70: Fabule 20, Berry 13, Aguilar 9, Ponferrada 8, Luy 6, Tungcul 4, Galapon 2, Catamora 2, Asoro 2, Garcia 2, Jahnke 2.

Quarter Scoring: 19-10, 31-28, 50-49, 71-70

Tags: Bulldogs, Events, fighting-maroons, FilOil-Flying-V, News, NU, Petron, UAAP, UP

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