National University put on a defensive clinic to stifle Adamson University, 79-43, and extend its winning streak in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
After a tight 20-19 opening quarter, the Bulldogs built a 16-point halftime lead by scoring 20 points anew while limiting the Soaring Falcons to just five in the second period, 40-24.
NU followed it up with another dominant performance on both ends of the floor in the third quarter. The team outscored Adamson, 23-10, to establish a commanding 63-34 advantage heading into the final frame.
The Bulldogs held the Soaring Falcons to just 24 points over the final three quarters after allowing 19 in the opening period.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Siyempre, give credit sa mga players; they executed well ‘yung game plan namin from second to fourth quarter. Inayos lang namin ‘yung mindset para kahit papaano, bumalik kami sa pagiging disciplined sa defense at ‘yung offense mahanap namin,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa.
With the victory, NU secured its fourth consecutive win to join University of the Philippines atop the standings at 6-2. The Bulldogs also completed a sweep of their elimination-round meetings with the Soaring Falcons after dominating their first-round encounter, 85-66.
Meanwhile, Adamson dropped to 4-4, joining four other schools in a five-way tie for third to seventh place.
The 36-point defeat was the Soaring Falcons’ worst in 12 years, dating back to a 25-62 loss to the Bulldogs on July 30, 2014, in UAAP Season 77.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Tebol Garcia led NU with 14 points on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting from the field, along with six assists, five rebounds, and two steals.
PJ Palacielo chipped in 12 points, while DJ Laconsay added nine on three three-pointers.
Vince Reyes and Mac Alfanta contributed eight points apiece in the rout, as the Bulldogs knocked down 30 of their 61 attempts from the field while holding the Soaring Falcons to just 25-percent shooting on 14-of-56 attempts.
NU will look to extend its winning streak to five games when it takes on Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Manu Anabo was the lone Adamson player to score in double figures, finishing with 11 points.
The Soaring Falcons will next face Far Eastern University, also on Wednesday at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
NU (79) – Garcia 14, Palacielo 12, Laconsay 9, Reyes 8, Alfanta 8, Diasanna 6, Padrones 5, Francisco 5, Jumamoy 4, Cartel 3, Miranda 3, Perciano 2, Figueroa 0, Solomon 0, Serrano 0.
AdU (43) – Anabo 11, Montebon 8, Edding 7, Torres 5, Medina 5, Jonah 4, Cañete 3, Perez 0, Tumaneng 0, Erolon 0, Mangaron 0, Demisana 0, Pacquiao 0.
Quarterscores: 20-19, 40-24, 63-34, 79-43.
