AN EARLY 10-point deficit was too much for Team Glory Be to overcome as it dropped its first game in the Got Skills Elite Showcase Tournament, 83-85, to National University (NU) last Sunday, July 26, at the Philadelphia High School gymnasium in Quezon City.

Playing on back-to-back days, the team started off flat as the Bulldogs went on an early 10-0 run in the first minute and a half of the game which prompted Head Coach Yuri Escueta to call an early timeout to gather his troops.

Defense and timely outside shooting fueled the team’s comeback, as they were able to frustrate NU to commit 21 turnovers while also making 10 3-pointers. However, the Bulldogs cohesive team play and torrid outside shooting kept them out of harm’s way.

Dan Wong led the team with 20 points but missed a potential game-tying bucket with 0.6 left on the clock, which would have completed the comeback. CJ Perez finished the game with 13 points but struggled mightily from the field–making only six out of his 20 total field goal attempts. However, his game-high eight assists were instrumental in the team’s comeback as he often found Isaac Go and Kemark Carino for easy shots around the rim off NU’s double teams.

The team dropped its first game after nabbing back-to-back victories to put their standing at 2-1 in the tournament.