Behind Matt Salem’s stellar performance, the National University Bulldogs pounced on the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons 80-69, Saturday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Salem once again led the way for the Bulldogs, dropping high a career-high 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting with three triples to go along with seven rebounds. The backcourt tandem of junior Rev Diputado and rookie JV Gallego chipped in 12 markers each for the Bulldogs.
“Team’s been working hard. I would not play that way if they did not set me up. I have to give it to my teammates,” Salem said about his career-high.
“The points did not come from me but it came from the guards attacking and our big men. My teammates have a big part in it.”
The Bulldogs were cruising past the Fighting Maroons after limiting their opponents to just nine second quarter points. A basket by Michael Pate with 1:42 left in the third frame extended NU’s lead to a game-high 13 points, 50-37.
The Maroons though had some fight in them.
A Pio Longa triple in the dying seconds of third frame sparked a huge UP surge to start the final quarter. Behind excellent stops by Andrew Harris, the Fighting Maroons were able to trim the lead to just two points, 59-57, highlighted by an excellent pass by Harris to a cutting Paul Desiderio with 4:25 left in the game.
“It was another grind for us. I reminded the boys after the first half that UP is tough,” NU head coach Eric Altamirano said. “Unfortunately, we did not play good defense in the second half. We allowed them to score high.”
However, it was Harris who also sparked NU’s counter run that broke the game wide open.
A technical foul was called on the Filipino-American for continuous complaining after a foul was assessed on him with 4:16 left. Salem was able to convert on three free throws. Afterwards, Gallego was able to score an and-one play against Harris that extended NU’s lead back to eight points.
“Crucial yung technical that gave us the cushion. We were able to score six points after it. Malaking bagay yun,” Altamirano added.
Buckets by Salem, Gallego, Diputado, and Chino Mosqueda sealed the win for NU.
Jett Manuel led UP with 21 points, 12 coming from downtown. Paul Desiderio added 11 markers but on a horrendous 4-of-13 shooting.
The NU Bulldogs (4-2) will have the defending UAAP champions next as they face the FEU Tamaraws in its last game for the first round on Wednesday, October 5 at 4:00pm. On the other hand, the UP Fighting Maroons finished the first round with a 1-6 slate.
The Scores:
NU (80) – Salem 26, Diputado R 12, Gallego 12, Alejandro 7, Aroga 7, Mosqueda 5, Pate 5, Salim 4, Morido 2, Aquino 0, Diputado C 0, Abatayo 0, Rangel 0, Sinclair 0.
UP (69) – Manuel 21, Desiderio 11, Moralde 8, Espanola 5, Prado 4, Webb 4, Lao 4, Vito 3, Longa 3, Harris 2, Asilum 2, Jaboneta 2, Lim 0, Dario 0, Romero 0, Gomez de Liano 0.
Quarterscores: 12-15, 35-24, 52-46, 80-69.
