National University continued to stay in the race for a UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four spot after emerging victorious against University of the East on a 100-81 triumph, Thursday morning, at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The two teams engaged in a back-and-forth affair in the opening frame which ended with NU only holding a one-point lead over UE. The Bulldogs eventually opened the floodgates and created separation as they built a 52-36 advantage at halftime.
Jeff Napa’s squad maximized their fastbreak opportunities in the second half to stretch the lead to as much as 22. NU continued to dominate UE for the remainder of the game as the Bulldogs ran away with the lopsided victory.
“Maganda ‘yung balik namin coming off four games straight na losses,” NU head coach Jeff Napa said. “At least we bounced back two straight games na panalo. At least magandang bwelo ‘to coming Sunday’s game against La Salle.”
With the win, the Bulldogs remain in contention for a Final Four spot with a 6-7 record. Meanwhile, the Red Warriors are still searching for their first win of the season after dropping to a 0-13 card.
Enzo Joson had his best outing of the season with 15 points built on three treys to go with three rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 16 minutes of action. Shaun Ildefonso also made his presence felt with 12 points while former UST standout Germy Mahinay got 11 points and six rebounds.
Rookies Jake Figueroa and Jolo Manansala contributed nine points apiece with the latter also grabbing nine rebounds for the Bulldogs.
Fastbreak points spelled a huge difference in the game as NU outscored UE, 32-15, in this department. The Bulldogs also got a lift from their bench players who scored 61 points as compared to their counterparts’ 36.
Harvey Pagsanjan paced the Recto-based squad with 16 points, six rebounds, five assists, and a block. Clint Escamis added 15 points, two rebounds, five assists, and five steals while Leon Lorenzana produced 14 points and 10 rebounds of his own.
Both schools shall next play on Sunday at the SM MOA Arena. University of the East (0-13) faces Adamson (5-7) at 10:00 AM while National University (6-7) takes on De La Salle University (7-6) afterwards at 4:30 PM.
The Scores:
NU 100 – Joson 15, Ildefonso 12, Mahinay 11, Manansala 9, Figueroa 9, Enriquez 8, Malonzo 6, Clemente 6, Flores 5, Torres 5, Galinato 4, Felicilda 4, Yu 4, Tibayan 2, Gaye 0.
UE 81 – Pagsanjan 16, Escamis 15, Lorenzana 14, Cruz 11, N. Paranada 10, K. Paranada 7, Guevarra 3, Sawat 2, Pascual 2, Beltran 1, Antiporda 0, Villanueva 0, Tulabut 0, Abatayo 0.
Quarterscores: 21-20, 52-36, 77-58, 100-81.
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