National University outlasted Far Eastern University in a grind-it-out battle, 69-65, to claim the top spot at the end of the first round of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Bulldogs finished the first round with a 5-2 record, tying them with the UP Fighting Maroons. However, NU claimed the top spot by virtue of the winner-over-the-other rule.
Meanwhile, the once-red-hot Tamaraws suffered their second consecutive loss to drop to 4-3, tying them with the UST Growling Tigers for third place. They could be joined by the winner of the game between the De La Salle Green Archers and the Adamson Soaring Falcons later in the day.
