National University turned to a strong second half to frustrate University of the East, 83-74, and clinch the first twice-to-beat incentive for the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Final Four on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Riding their fifth straight win, the Bulldogs improved to 11-2 and secured a semifinals twice-to-beat edge for the first time since Season 76 (2013), a remarkable turnaround after a disappointing 5-9 finish last year.
Head coach Jeff Napa lamented NU’s slow start, as his team trailed by as much as 18 points before flipping the switch late in the third quarter.
The Red Warriors led 53-35 but could not sustain the advantage and absorbed another defeat.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Nung first half, unusual eh. Akala siguro ng mga players namin na hindi na maglalaro ‘yung UE. Kami, masyadong relaxed,” said Napa.
“So pagpasok namin sa dugout, simple lang ang sinabi ko. ‘Yun ba ang level na gusto niyong i-perform eh papasok na tayo ng Final Four?’ If you want to succeed sa next level, kailangan ipakita nila ‘yung best nila.”
UE, now winless through 13 games, had raced to a 42-31 halftime lead thanks to the efforts of Tope Lagat, Precios Momowei, Wello Lingolingo, and Jhon Jimenez.
But NU made a halftime adjustment that allowed them to claw back and eventually dominate.
With UE ahead 53-35 early in the third, Jolo Manansala, Omar John, and Mark Parks orchestrated a 20-4 run to bring NU within two, 55-57, with 1:50 remaining in the period.
Although the Red Warriors still led 61-56 entering the fourth, the Bulldogs struck with a decisive 19-2 rally. PJ Palacielo, Jake Figueroa, John, and Manansala powered them to a 75-63 cushion with 2:57 left.
During that fourth-quarter drought, UE failed to make a field goal until Lagat’s floater at the 1:16 mark.
“Siguro kahit papaano nagpi-peak naman na ako. Kasi thankful ako sa teammates and coaches ko kasi nandoon pa rin ‘yung tiwala. Hindi ko naman magagawa ‘yung ganiyang stats kundi dahil sa kanila,” said Manansala, who scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
John contributed 14 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks, while Figueroa added 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Francisco chipped in 12 points, and Palacielo finished with 11 in the come-from-behind win.
NU will look to close the elimination round on a six-game winning streak when it faces University of Santo Tomas on Nov. 23 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
For UE, rookie Tope Lagat led his team with 17 points, including 11 in the first half, while Precious Momowei added 14 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists.
Dylan Despi contributed 11 points, seven assists, and five steals, and Jhon Jimenez tallied 10 points.
The Red Warriors, mired in a 19-game losing streak dating back to last year, will aim to end it in their final game of the season next Saturday against Far Eastern University at the same venue.
The Scores:
NU (83) – Manansala 21, Figueroa 14, John 14, Francisco 12, Palacielo 11, Enriquez 5, Parks 4. Tulabut 2, Garcia 0, Jumamoy 0, Dela Cruz 0, Reyes 0, Navarro 0, Solomon 0, Padrones 0.
UE (74) – Lagat 17, Momowei 14, Despi 11, Jimenez 10, Lingolingo 9, Datumalim 5, Cruz-Dumont 3, Tañedo 3, Robles 2, Malaga 0, Distrito 0.
Quarterscores: 17-21, 31-42, 56-61, 83-74.
