De La Salle University stretched its winning streak to three games after tripping Final Four-bound National University, 63-58, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
The Green Archers boosted their post-season bid and improved to an even 6-6 at solo fourth, while the Bulldogs fell to 9-4, seeing their four-game winning streak stopped.
“It was a pretty hard-earned victory for us. We know NU’s the number two team so we just gonna keep pounding, keep digging out there,” said La Salle coach Derrick Pumaren.
Penny Estacio delivered all of his 13 points alone in the third frame to outscore the entire NU squad which only managed nine and enter the fourth with the Green Archers up by 11, 48-37.
Evan Nelle then took over in the payoff period with eight of his 10 points to keep La Salle afloat en route to the victory.
“We needed this win kasi we’re aiming to be in the Final Four. During the third quarter, hindi ko naman pinipilit ‘yung game, we just have to trust each other and nagkataon lang talaga na ako ‘yung nakakashoot,” said Estacio.
Mike Phillips just missed a double-double with nine points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block.
Jake Figueroa tallied 19 points, six rebounds, and four steals for the Bulldogs, who lost freshman Kean Baclaan hit the showers early after incurring his second technical foul for faking a foul at the 8:43 mark of the third frame.
John Lloyd Clemente had 15 points and 11 rebounds in the losing cause as well.
La Salle will next face University of the East on Saturday at 3 pm while the Bulldogs aim for bounce back against Adamson University earlier that day.
The Scores:
La Salle 63 — Estacio 13, Nelle 10, M. Phillips 9, Nonoy 7, Cortez 7, Quiambao 6, Abadam 4, Austria 2, B. Phillips 2, Nwankwo 2, Macalalag 1, Winston 0.
NU 58 — Figueroa 19, Clemente 15, Manansala 5, John 4, Enriquez 4, Baclaan 4, Palacielo 2, Mahinay 2, Padrones 2, Minerva 1, Malonzo 0, Yu 0, Galinato 0, Tibayan 0, Tulabut 0.
Quarterscores: 14-14, 32-28, 48-37, 63-58.
