Paul Francisco redeemed himself after missing a potential game-winner in the fourth quarter, carrying National University to an overtime victory over Ateneo de Manila University, 71-66, to close out the first round of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament in first place on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Francisco, who had only three points in regulation, scored all 10 of the Bulldogs’ points in overtime.
His three-pointer with 38.1 seconds remaining gave NU a 71-66 lead — the final score — as the Blue Eagles missed three shots from deep, while Munmun Dela Cruz and Jolo Manansala missed four free throws on the other end.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“My coaches and teammates just kept telling me to shoot the ball. I was kind of struggling throughout the course of the game. I credit my teammates and coaches on believing in me to keep shooting it, and it paid off in overtime,” said Francisco, finishing with 13 points.
The Blue Eagles had to erase a 17-point deficit in the third quarter, 30-47, just to force overtime.
Dominic Escobar and Jaden Lazo spearheaded Ateneo’s comeback, but it was Shawn Tuano who sent the game to extra time. He drilled a triple with 8.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter to tie it at 61-all.
With one final chance to win in regulation, Francisco’s mid-range jumper missed. Manansala attempted a putback, but the shot rattled off as time expired.
“Good win for us pero wala naman kaming pakialam kung nasaan kami ngayon. Ang importante kasi sa amin ay how we perform every game talaga. Hindi namin iniisip kung ano man ‘yung [standing namin], ang importante ‘yung growth ng players talaga,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa.
NU ended the first round atop the standings with a 6-1 record, powered by three straight wins. Their lone loss came against University of the Philippines, 59-66.
Jake Figueroa delivered an all-around performance with 13 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and two blocks. Meanwhile, Steve Nash Enriquez added 12 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
Omar John contributed 11 points and nine rebounds.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, Ateneo suffered its third straight defeat to finish the round in solo fourth place at 4-3.
It was their second consecutive overtime loss, following a triple-overtime defeat to University of Santo Tomas last Saturday, 89-98.
Already coming off a triple-OT game earlier in the season, the Blue Eagles were without point guard Jared Bahay (shoulder) and center Divine Adili (back), who were sidelined with injuries.
Lazo led Ateneo with 17 points, while Tuano added 15. Escobar posted 14 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and five steals.
Kymani Ladi, the team’s leading scorer through the first six games at 17.0 points per outing, was held to just nine points on 2-of-13 shooting in 37 minutes.
The Scores:
NU (71) – Figueroa 13, Francisco 13, Enriquez 12, John 11, Manansala 9, Santiago 7, Jumamoy 3, Palacielo 2, Garcia 1, Dela Cruz 0, Padrones 0, Tulabut 0, Parks 0.
Ateneo (66) – Lazo 17, Tuano 15, Escobar 14, Espinosa 10, Ladi 9, Ong 1, Bongo 0, Lazaro 0, Nieto 0, Espina 0, Gamber 0.
Quarterscores: 19-11, 34-22, 48-40, 61-61, 71-66.
