NU Bulldogs outduel FEU Tamaraws to clinch FilOil Preseason title

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The National University (NU) Bulldogs completed its undefeated run to capture the 2022 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup championship title after defeating the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 56-46, during the grand finals.

It was an impressive balanced attack from the Bulldogs from start to finish while also displaying poise under pressure after FEU attempted to storm their way back in the final canto.

Midway in the fourth quarter, the Tamaraws uncorked a huge 11-0 offensive run that cut the Bulldogs’ double-digit lead.

However, the Bulldogs survived a near meltdown after Omar John and John Martin Galinato sank clutch baskets that prevented the Tamaraws to get close to as much as five points with two minutes remaining in the ball game.

John and Galinato’s answers helped restore order for the Bulldogs and ballooned its lead back to a comfortable cushion, 53-44.

Germy Mahinay, NU’s bench player who earned significant minutes during the title match, delivered a performance for the ages and finished the ball game with 15 big points and 10 rebounds.

Backstopping Mahinay during the win was John who contributed 12 points and eight rebounds while newly-crowned Most Valuable Player (MVP) John Lloyd Clemente chipped in 10 points.

Ilonggo gunner and former Santa Clarita International School of Iloilo superstar John Bryan Sajonia led FEU with 15 points and five rebounds.

Despite a late explosion from Sajonia, the Tamaraws still failed to gather any momentum in the last five minutes of the match and failed to replicate its comeback win against the UP Fighting Maroons.