National University outlasted De La Salle University in an 80-77 overtime thriller in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulldogs have now won back-to-back games to elevate their record to 4-1 in the standings for solo second.
For Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa, this victory over one of the league’s top teams is a major milestone for his Bulldogs after they folded 60-78 to league leaders University of the Philippines last October 7.
“Ang pakilam ko, especially the players, is how they perform,” said Napa. “Lalo na when we lost against UP, yun yung pinaka concern ko kasi coming to opponents na big teams, we have to be competitive.
“Yung A-game namin and the usual approach, kailangan lumabas para ma-turnaround kung anoman ang sitwasyon na gusto namin. So, nakachamba. Nakachamba kami kasi given La Salle is a very strong team talaga,” the third-year Bulldogs head coach continued.
Patrick Yu was the hero for NU – scoring five unanswered points on two bank shots. That gave the Bulldogs the necessary separation at 74-69 with less than two minutes left in added time.
Jake Figueroa and Kean Baclaan then scored free throws while Donn Lim converted a lay-up for a 79-74 NU lead in the final six seconds.
Evan Nelle was able to cut the deficit to 77-79, but time was not on the Green Archers’ side.
It was the climactic finish NU deserved after it forced overtime in regulation.
Down 64-67 with less than a minute left in regulation, Figueroa tied the game with a big three-point shot. La Salle then had a golden chance with less than 13 seconds left to win the game but Michael Phillips missed both free throw attempts.
Figueroa led the Bulldogs with 15 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals in 37 minutes. Jolo Manansala scored 13 points and made four rebounds, while Yu contributed 12 points.
Senegalese center Omar John had 10 points and four rebounds.
Baclaan had a good all-around game for NU with seven points, seven rebounds and five assists. Mike Malonzo had 11 rebounds to go along with his seven points.
NU dominated the paint by scoring 42 inside points and getting 57 rebounds compared to La Salle’s 20 and 43 respectively.
However, the Green Archers forced the Bulldogs to commit 20 turnovers, which led to 19 points.
“Good thing, pushed to the limits (at) hindi bumitaw ang mga bata,” said Napa. “It’s a total team effort. Everybody stepped up. Everybody stepped up to the challenge na binigay ko sa kanila. At least makakahinga na ako ngayon.”
NU will seek to extend its winning streak to three games when it faces University of the East this Wednesday at 12:00 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
On the other hand, Kevin Quiambao led the Green Archers with 25 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Mark Nonoy scored 10 points while Evan Nelle contributed nine points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Michael Phillips had a near double-double for La Salle by producing seven points and nine rebounds.
La Salle – which fell to 3-2 – shall seek to bounce back against league leaders University of the Philippines this Wednesday at 6:00 PM at the same Pasay venue.
The Scores:
NU 80 – Figueroa 15, Manansala 13, Yu 12, John 10, Baclaan 7, Malonzo 7, Enriquez 7, Lim 5, Palacielo 4, Galinato 0, Parks 0.
DLSU 77 – Quiambao 25, Nonoy 10, Nelle 9, M Phillips 7, Abadam 6, B Phillips 5, Escandor 5, Manuel 3, Austria 3, Policarpio 2, Nwankwo 2, David 0, Macalalag 0.
Quarterscores: 19-16, 37-37, 52-52, 67-67, 80-77.
