National University continues to get the better of defending champion Ateneo de Manila University.
The Bulldogs leaned on the duo of Reinhard Jumamoy and Jake Figueroa to fend off the Blue Eagles, hacking a 65-61 victory to remain at solo second in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
NU was coming off a 78-88 loss to La Salle the last time out. And they rebounded big time, rising to 8-2 while dropping Ateneo to its third straight loss – the first for the school since a 0-3 start in Season 76 (2013) – and a 4-6 record.
Moreover, the Bulldogs have extended their mastery over the Blue Eagles to three games — also winning in the second round of Season 85 (78-74) and the first round of the ongoing season (77-64)
“Good win for us,” said Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa. “Hard fought win for us kasi second round na, everybody steps up, all teams step up.
“Last time nung nandito ako, sabi ko sa inyo yung lack of effort eh. We really emphasized yung effort na word dun sa conversation namin ng team.”
The Bulldogs led by as much as 60-53 off a PJ Palacielo basket with 6:12 remaining in the game.
Ateneo, though, fought back.
Jared Brown, Chris Koon, and Sean Quitevis linked up to give Ateneo a precarious 60-61 edge with 2:11 in the contest.
Figueroa scored the Bulldogs’ last five points. He drained a triple with 1:08 remaining to give NU a 63-61 lead.
Though committing a crucial turnover with less than 20 seconds left, Figueroa atoned for his error. He intercepted a Koon pass to Kai Ballungay before sealing the deal with two free throws on the other end.
“Good thing napunta sa amin yung favor nung last few minutes,” said Napa. “Jake made the crucial big shots then made the free throws kaya kami napunta sa ganitong sitwasyon.”
Figueroa, a third-year forward out of Pampanga who was the Season 82 Boys’ Basketball MVP, finished the game with 18 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and one assist.
Needing a spark to step up for injured sixth man Steve Nash Enriquez (broken jaw), Jumamoy, a rookie out of Lapu Lapu City, Cebu, stepped up to the plate.
The Season 85 Boys’ Basketball MVP torched the Blue Eagles, helping the Bulldogs keep toe-to-toe with the Blue Eagles firepower in the third canto.
Jumamoy dropped a career-high 21 points – behind 8-of-10 shooting from the field – with three assists and two rebounds.
NU will next face Far Eastern University on Wednesday, 4:00 PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Sandy Arespacochaga was the ‘next man up’ for the Blue Eagles as coach Tab Baldwin missed the game due to illness.
Joseph Obasa led Ateneo with 11 points and nine rebounds followed by Kai Ballungay’s 10 points, five rebounds, two steals, and one assist.
Koon was able to contribute eight points, seven assists, and six rebounds for the Blue Eagles.
Ateneo looks to arrest its skid also on Wednesday when it takes on also-ran University of Santo Tomas at 11:00 AM.
The Scores:
NU (65) – Jumamoy 21, Figueroa 18, Baclaan 6, Palacielo 5, Lim 5, Malonzo 4, John 4, Manansala 2, Yu 0, Delos Reyes 0, Gulapa 0.
Ateneo (61) – Obasa 11, Ballungay 10, Koon 8, Brown 8, Credo 7, Quitevis 6, Amos 6, Espinosa 5, Chiu 0, Lazaro 0, Bongo 0, Nieto 0, Gomez 0.
Quarterscores: 18-21, 35-38, 52-48, 65-61
