Bulldogs sink Sharks, stay in Phl-Aussie title chase

National University capped its big comeback in the Philippine-Australia Goodwill Basketball Invitational with an 82-58 rout of Perth yesterday as it stayed in the hunt for the crown in the inaugural tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Rev Diputado came away with 14 points to lead the Bulldogs to the runaway win, their fourth straight after a 56-57 setback to the San Sebastian Stags in the opener of the week-long event organized by Sports Vision.

With a 4-1 card, NU finished on top of the six-team field although the Bulldogs still need to await the result of the Arellano U-SSC duel, being played at presstime. The Chiefs and the Stags tote similar 3-1 cards.

But a San Sebastian win will net the Stags the crown in the tournament backed by the MVP Sports Foundation and Sports5 via the winner-over-the-other rule. A victory by Arellano will give NU, the reigning UAAP titlist, the championship.

Nico Abatayo, Ralph Tansingco, and Gelo Alolino chipped in eight points apiece for the Bulldogs.

Sebastian Salinas finished with 23 points for the Sharks, who lost all their five games in the tournament that also drew the Sydney quintet and Ateneo.

The scores: NU 82 – Diputado 14, Abatayo 8, Alolino 8, Tansingco 8, Issa 6, Javillonar 6, Lastimosa 5, Salim 4, Rangel 4, Neypes 4, Javelona 4, Alejandro 3, Morido 2, Celda 2, Aroga 2, Senining 2.

Perth 58 – Salinas 23, Smith 11, Bindue 7, Buenavista 6, Clarke 5, Kereama 3, Hayden 3.

Quarterscores: 18-15, 41-27, 60-39, 82-58