Bulldogs drop Bombers in national eliminations

TANAUAN CITY, Batangas--National University outgunned Jose Rizal, 79-69, yesterday to remain one step closer to the main tournament of the National Collegiate Championship at the Faith Gym here.

Jay-J Alejandro, who was named team captain in the absence of Gelo Alolino who skipped this tournament, came through with another strong effort, firing a team-high 19 points to help the Bulldogs sweep their group in two games.

The sweet-shooting Alejandro’s performance came a few days after he dropped 25 points on a hapless PATTS in a one-sided 99-51 win at the Technological Institute of the Philippines gym back in Manila.

“I was just trying to lead the team by example,” said Alejandro, who played high school ball for Mapua for the national youth team then named Energen Pilipinas.

Matthew Aquino, son of former PBA star Marlou, scattered 15 points including three from beyond the arc.

The win sent NU to another sudden death game at the same venue today, at 4 p.m., against Olivarez College, which topped the South Luzon-Bicol qualifiers in Tanauan and Naga City last month.

Preceding the NU-Olivarez showdown is another knockout duel pitting TIP against Lyceum Northwestern U at 2 p.m.

The Engineers bested the Mapua Cardinals, 70-64, and the St. Clare Saints, 62-51, to make it this far while the Dukes topped the North Luzon qualifiers in Dagupan, Pangasinan early this month to stay in contention.

The winners advance to the Elite Eight where they will join UAAP champion Far Eastern U, NCAA titlist Letran, NCAA runner-up and defending champion San Beda, UAAP second placer Santo Tomas, CESAFI title-holder University of San Carlos and Vis-Min qualifier winner University of the Visayas.

A whopping P1 million and the tag as the league’s best college team await the winner of this annual tournament.