Despite building a 15-point second-half lead and holding a 77-68 cushion with 2:09 remaining in regulation, National University nearly allowed the University of Santo Tomas to steal the win in overtime. However, a dramatic closing sequence gave the Bulldogs two final chances to reclaim the lead and seal the victory.
Trailing 84-85 with 15.4 seconds left in overtime, NU caught a break when UST’s Kirk Cañete missed both free throws after being fouled by DJ Laconsay. Paul Francisco secured the defensive rebound, but play was halted when Tebol Garcia went down following a collision with Reinhard Jumamoy, giving the Bulldogs an unexpected stoppage to organize their final play.
After the break, Jumamoy drove to the basket for a go-ahead attempt, only for UST center Collins Akowe to swat his shot away. NU quickly called a timeout to draw up one last play. On the ensuing baseline inbound, Francisco found Jumamoy, who redeemed himself after the earlier rejection by sinking a clutch three-pointer to secure the victory.
During the postgame press conference, a visibly exhausted Jeff Napa admitted that the Bulldogs should never have found themselves needing a dramatic finish to escape after squandering a sizable lead. However, he noted that the adversity ultimately tested his squad’s resolve.
“Actually, ‘di dapat kami napunta sa ganung sitwasyon,” said the homegrown Nationalian. “’Yun nga ‘yun — kaya na-push to the limit ako kasi nung third to fourth quarter, we’re not playing defense, e. Nawala ‘yung aggression namin, nawala ‘yung effort; that’s why UST got confident and kept digging unti-unti.
“Pero, ‘yun nga, ‘pag under pressure, doon mo masusubukan ‘yung character ng player talaga. ‘Yun ‘yung how they’re willing to push themselves talaga. At least ‘yung character, despite ‘yung nangyari sa third and fourth [quarters] namin na naging too complacent. Masyadong naging labanan namin sa opensa, e. Ganun ‘yung naging sitwasyon.”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
As frustrating as it was for the decorated mentor to see his team squander a commanding advantage, he could not help but smile at how his players managed to pull through. Joining him at the postgame press conference were Francisco and Jumamoy, the architects of the decisive play that lifted the Bulldogs past the Growling Tigers.
Taking such a high-pressure shot requires tremendous confidence, and Napa was quick to credit the two players who stepped up when it mattered most. While the Bulldogs still had plenty to address after nearly letting the game slip away, the dramatic finish provided a much-needed morale boost.
“Kahit sabihin mong pagalitan ko, makapal pa rin talaga ang mukha — titira-tira,” said Napa. “Hats off sa kanya, e. ‘Yung crucial stretch na ‘yan, although ‘yung inbound play maraming option ‘yun, pero still, better decision ni Paul to give it up to Reinhard.
“It’s up to Reinhard to take that game-winning shot. Sa kanya na ‘yun. Hindi na para sa akin ‘yun. At least, kumbaga, nakikilala sila.”
Now sitting at 4-2, NU will close out the first round against Far Eastern University next Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in a crucial matchup with significant Final Four implications.
Acknowledging that the Bulldogs narrowly escaped an upset, the 45-year-old mentor stressed the need to address the team’s shortcomings in managing leads and closing out games to avoid similar late-game collapses as the playoff race intensifies.
“Hindi dapat ganun ang mangyari ulit sa susunod, especially in our next game, pero at least ‘yung character nandun, e. ‘Yun ‘yung nangibabaw ngayon,” said Napa.
“Hopefully, maging ready kami in our next game against FEU, then coming to the second round talaga.”
