National University streaked to its third win to advance to the quarters while Centro Escolar University kept its own bid alive with its second straight win in the PG Flex Linoleum UCBL Pre-Season tournament Friday at the SGS Gym in Quezon City.
The Bulldogs leaned on a big fourth quarter show to beat the Adamson Falcons72-68, while the CEU Scorpions came through with a 41-point second quarter explosion to dump the University of the Batangas Brahmans, 103-88, in similar Group B matches
The win enabled the Bulldogs to secure the solo lead apart from clinching the first quarterfinal berth while the Scorpions evened their record at 2-2 – thanks to the stellar performances of Christian Malacana, Ayodeji Balugon and Jhomel Ancheta.
In the lone Group A match, Emilio Aguinaldo College likewise boosted its Last 8 hopes by trouncing Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas, 88-65.
Only reigning UAAP titlist University of the Philippines (3-0) and NU have so far secured berths to the next round of the 12-team tournament going into the last four playing dates of the elims.
Steve Nash Enriquez starred for the Bulldogs with 19 points and five boards while John Lloyd Clemente and Omar John backed him up with 10 and 8 points, respectively.
The Falcons, who absorbed their first defeat in three games, were paced by Matty Erolon and Eli Ramos with 17 and 12 points, respectively, while EAC Generals, who also logged their second win in four starts, drew inspired games from Boging Bajon and Nathaniel Consejo, who combined for 27 points.
