National University outlasted Adamson University in a defensive battle, 58-54, in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament, Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Ahead by just two, Mike Malonzo drained a huge and-one over Lenda Douanga to put the Bulldogs up by five before Joshua Yerro drilled two freebies to slash it back to three, 51-54.
But the 6-foot-3 NU forward made another layup before John Lloyd Clemente split his freebies to extend the lead to six with 14.5 seconds left, 51-57.
Jerom Lastimosa pulled the Soaring Falcons within three with a trey but Jake Figueroa’s free throw sealed the deal.
“Luckily, nakuha namin itong panalo na ito but still, we’re unsatisfied kasi outrebounded kami ngayon and ang dami naming binigay na points sa paint,” said Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa.
Clemente topscored for NU with 14 points, while Malonzo had seven points and nine rebounds.
Kean Baclaan also got eight points, seven rebounds, and four steals in the low-scoring affair.
The Bulldogs sat alone at the top of the standings at 4-1, while erasing the Soaring Falcons’ two-game winning run to slide them to 2-3 at sixth.
Adamson was led by Cedrick Manzano with 12 points, 11 in the first half, with eight rebounds. Lastimosa chipped in 11 points and six assists but committed eight turnovers.
After erupting for 23 points on seven triples last game, Vince Magbuhos was held to just two points on a woeful 1-of-11 clip.
NU will return on Wednesday against De La Salle University while the Soaring Falcons meet Ateneo de Manila University.
The Scores:
NU 58 – Clemente 14, Baclaan 8, Malonzo 7, Figueroa 7, Enriquez 7, Yu 7, Manansala 2, Tibayan 2, John 2, Galinato 2, Padrones 0, Mahinay 0, Minerva 0, Palacielo 0.
Adamson 54 – Manzano 12, Lastimosa 11, Douanga 9, Yerro 7, Colonia 4, Hanapi 4, Jaymalin 3, V. Magbuhos 2, Torres 2, W. Magbuhos 0, Barcelona 0, Fuentebella 0, Flowers 0.
Quarterscores: 11-11, 28-25, 41-35, 58-54.
