Reigning UAAP champions National University (NU) remained in the thick of the hunt for the crown in the Philippine-Australia Goodwill Basketball Invitational after a 82-58 rout of Perth yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.
Former Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) Juniors Mythical Five member Adven Jess Diputado led the Bulldogs with 14 markers for their fourth win in a row after dropping a 56-57 decision to San Sebastian during opening day.
With a 4-1 (win-loss) card, NU finished on top of the six-team field although the Bulldogs still need to wait for the result of the Arellano-San Sebastian duel that was 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 while 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.
BOX 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