National University kept its postseason hopes alive with a 73-60 wallopping of University of Santo Tomas in the second round of the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Tuesday evening, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Reyland Torres contributed 18 points on the back of 4-for-7 three-point shooting alongside four rebounds, one assist, and one steal to help the Bulldogs snap their four-game losing streak.
NU is now tied with Adamson University with a 5-7 record and is a full game behind Far Eastern University. On the other hand, the Growling Tigers are now eliminated from postseason contention.
“Good win for us,” said NU coach Jeff Napa. “We’re hoping ma-translate ulit namin on Thursday against UE. Our focus is one game at a time.”
With a 36-24 cushion at the break, the Bulldogs were able to extend their separation away from the Growling Tigers to as much as 51-29 at the 4:27 mark of the third period courtesy of back-to-back threes from Torres.
NU’s Mike Malonzo then converted a basket at the 7:51 mark of the fourth quarter to give the Bulldogs their biggest lead in the contest at 63-38.
The Growling Tigers, though, put up a 2-17 run capped off by Aldave Canoy’s lay-up to cut the deficit to 55-65 with 2:44 to go but back-to-back threes again from Torres restored the Bulldogs’ control at 71-55 with 1:11 remaining.
“Alam ko din ang mga batang ito, gusto ma-experience kung ano yung pagdating sa Final Four,” added Napa. “Susubok lang kami. We’ll just do the right thing again para at least mabigyan kami ng chance.”
Janjan Felicilda followed Torres’ lead with 12 points, nine rebounds, and three assists while Michael Malonzo had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
NU had 43 bench points, 26 fastbreak points, and shot 33.3 percent from the three-point line. In contrast, UST had 29 bench points, eight fastbreak points, and 13.3 percent from the three-point line.
Nicael Cabanero led UST with 13 points followed by Joshua Fontanilla and Paul Manalang’s 12 points and 11 points respectively.
Both schools resume their campaigns on Thursday at the SM MOA Arena. NU (5-7) takes on University of the East at 10:00 AM while UST (3-9) goes up against University of the Philippines at 7:00 PM.
The Scores:
NU 73 – Torres 18, Felicilda 12, Malonzo 11, Enriquez 9, Clemente 9, Joson 6, Gaye 4, Figueroa 2, Minerva 2, yu 0, Ildefonso 0, Mahinay 0, Galinato 0, Manansala 0, Tibayan 0, Flores 0.
UST 60 – Cabanero 13, Fontanilla 12, Manalang 11, Ando 7, Canoy 7, Concepcion 4, Santos 3, Manaytay 3, Pangilinan 0, Gesalem 0, Herrera 0, Garing 0.
Quarterscores: 17-12, 36-24, 54-35, 73-60.
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