Shaun Ildefonso exploded in the third quarter as National University bounced back with a big win over University of Santo Tomas, 82-51, in the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Thursday, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Up precariously at 35-31 after the first two periods, the Bulldogs exploded in the third quarter led by Ildefonso’s 10 points, which were all scored in the said period. Ildefonso’s power move gave NU a 53-40 cushion at the 4:08 mark and this was extended to 60-40 courtesy of Jake Figueroa’s three.
“At least nung paglabas namin ng second half, kahit 10 buzzer pa man yan, kahit ma-technical ako, at least ma-address ko kung ano yung kailangan i-address sa kanila,” said NU coach Jeff Napa. “Nakita niyo naman yung result, coming into the endgame, naging fully alive talaga sila kaya naging maganda ang resulta para sa amin.”
NU got its biggest lead of the ballgame, 82-51, courtesy of Germy Mahinay’s basket at the 1:00 mark of the fourth quarter.
“Good win for us pero siyempre we have to move forward. We have a game on Saturday. There’s no time to celebrate,” added Napa. “At least after a loss against Ateneo, at least we bounced back with a statement win. At least dadalhin namin to coming to UE.”
Reyland Torres led NU with 12 points, Jake Figueroa had 11 points and seven rebounds, Ildefonso contributed 10 points and six rebounds, Enzo Joson sank nine points, Issa Gaye had eight rebounds.
The Bulldogs pounded the paint with 56 inside points versus the Growling Tigers’ 22. NU also seized 54 rebounds to UST’s 41.
Nic Cabanero led UST with 11 points and eight rebounds followed by Sherwin Concepcion’s 10 points. On the other hand, Growling Tigers court general Joshua Fontanilla had an off-day as he only had eight shot attempts with two of them going in for five points.
Both schools resume their campaigns on Saturday at the SM MOA Arena. NU (2-3) takes on University of the East at 10:00 AM while UST (2-3) goes up against Ateneo de Manila University at 4:00 PM.
The Scores:
NU 82 – Torres 12, Figueroa 11, Ildefonso 10, Joson 9, Yu 7, Clemente 6, Galinato 6, Enriquez 5, Minerva 4, Malonzo 4, Felicilda 2, Gaye 2, Mahinay 2, Flores 2, Manansala 0, Tibayan 0.
UST 51 – Cabanero 11, Concepcion 10, Manalang 8, Fontanilla 5, Garing 4, Herrera 3, Santos 2, Manaytay 2, Pangilinan 2, Mantua 2, Sumudio 2, Ando 0, Canoy 0, Gomez de Liano 0, Gesalem 0, Yongco 0.
Quarterscores: 16-13, 35-31, 60-40, 82-51.
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