Cebuano cagers Steve Nash Enriquez and LA Casinillo got the best of Jerom Lastimosa and Joem Sabandal, as the National University Bulldogs took down the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 63-57, in a battle between undefeated teams in the 2022 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, on Friday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Casinillo—a former juniors MVP of the Cesafi—gave NU a lift as his and-one helped his team surge in front, 51-48. After Adamson answered with a run of their own to grab the upper hand, Casinillo ignited another 12-2 blast to put his side in front, 63-55, in the last two minutes.
Adamson wouldn't threaten the rest of the way, as Lastimosa was shut down by Enriquez, who wound up with 11 points, four steals, two assists, and two rebounds.
"Nag-magic ata 'tong dalawa kaya nakabalik kami," said head coach Jeff Napa of his backcourt that showed the way to their third win in as many games in Group A of the tournament.
"We just stuck to our system: first, defense, then yung offense will come. Yun yung
culture na ini-instill namin sa mga batang 'to," added Napa.
For the 3-1 Soaring Falcons, Lastimosa still topped the scoring column with 23 points, while running mate Sabandal was limited to five markers to go along with six assists, two rebounds, and two steals.