Kean Baclaan towed National University over his former team University of Santo Tomas, 69-63, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Sunday.
The 5-foot-8 freshman had his best game in Bulldogs uniform with 16 points, seven assists, and four steals.
“We’re lucky we got that win kasi kahit papaano nakakatakot ‘yung UST hanggang dulo hindi sila bumibigay eh,” said NU coach Jeff Napa.
Down by as much as 14, the Growling Tigers slashed the deficit to eight after Jamba Garing’s fastbreak layup with 2:38 left in the third frame.
But the Bulldogs answered back with an 18-8 rally bridging through the fourth period to stretch their lead to 18, 62-44, with eight minutes to go.
UST was able to chop it to five after a 16-3 run in a span of almost seven minutes, 60-65, with 17.4 seconds left.
John Lloyd Clemente stretched NU’s lead to seven with two freebies but Nic Cabañero drained a triple with 10.2 seconds left, 63-67.
Clemente also finished with 16 points, while Omar John and Mike Malonzo had eight points apiece with the former grabbing 11 rebounds.
The Bulldogs improved to 2-1 for solo third while the Growling Tigers fell to a three-way logjam for fifth with Adamson University and University of the East at 1-2.
Adama Faye led the Growling Tigers with 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, while Cabañero had 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Both teams will be back on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
UST will open against Ateneo de Manila University at 11 am, followed by NU’s clash with Ateneo de Manila University at 1 pm.
The Scores:
NU 69 – Baclaan 16, Clemente 16, John 8, Malonzo 8, Figueroa 7, Padrones 4, Yu 3, Minerva 3, Mahinay 2, Manansala 2, Palacielo 0, Galinato 0, Tibayan 0.
UST 63 – Faye 20, Cabanero 16, Pangilinan 9, Garing 8, Manaytay 3, Calimag 3, Laure 2, Lazarte 2, Mantua 0, Duremdes 0, Herrera 0.
Quarterscores: 16-14, 35-23, 57-42, 69-63.
