Reinhard Jumamoy saved National University from a potential collapse, sinking a game-winning three-pointer against the University of Santo Tomas in overtime to secure an 87-85 victory in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
With Mark Llemit closely guarding him, Jumamoy stepped back before launching a deep triple off the glass for the win with just 0.5 seconds remaining.
On the Growling Tigers’ final attempt, the ball went to Amiel Acido at the top of the key, but his three-pointer was swatted away by Mo Diassana.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Right from the start of the game, meron akong binatong question sa team ko na how hard will they push for this game? It went overtime, so hats off sa players ko; talagang ibinigay nila, although ang daming crucial mistakes,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa.
“Inisip ko lang na ako na ‘yung titira. Ini-ensayo ko naman ‘yun eh. ‘Yung laging sinasabi ni Coach sa akin na sobrang kapal ng mukha ko, nag-take charge lang ako,” shared Jumamoy, who finished with 19 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
The game-winner was even sweeter for Jumamoy, who had been denied by Collins Akowe on a layup attempt in the previous play with 5.3 seconds remaining. He had also tried to win the game in regulation, but his three-pointer missed the mark.
Before Jumamoy’s heroics, UST’s Landyn Jumawan had his own clutch moment, drilling two three-pointers and sinking two free throws to give the Tigers an 85-84 lead with 35.3 seconds left.
Jumamoy missed another attempt from beyond the arc on the ensuing possession, but NU caught a break on the other end as rookie Kirk Cañete missed both free throws after being fouled, setting the stage for the game-winner.
The Bulldogs had a chance to close out the game in regulation but squandered a nine-point lead, 77-68, with 2:09 remaining in the fourth quarter.
NU has now won two straight games to improve to 4-2 ahead of its first-round finale against Far Eastern University on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
PJ Palacielo added 16 points, 14 of which came in the first half, while Kenshin Padrones finished with 11 points, four rebounds, and two blocks.
Mac Alfanta and Paul Francisco chipped in 10 points apiece.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
On the other hand, UST has now dropped two consecutive games to fall to 2-3 and seventh place in the standings.
Jumawan led the Tigers with 22 points, six rebounds, and four steals while posting a team-high plus-16 rating in 33 minutes and 22 seconds of action.
Mark Llemit chipped in 21 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, while Acido recorded 20 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.
Akowe also contributed 11 points, eight rebounds, and two steals but was limited to just six field-goal attempts.
UST will return to action against FEU on Wednesday at the historic Big Dome.
The Scores:
NU 87 — Jumamoy 19, Palacielo 16, Padrones 11, Francisco 10, Alfanta 10, Diassana 8, Garcia 5, Cartel 3, Solomon 3, Reyes 2, Laconsay 0, Tulabut 0.
UST 85 — Jumawan 22, Llemit 21, Acido 20, Akowe 11, Esteban 5, Manding 2, Buenaflor 2, Cañete 2, Chio 0, Alao 0, Porter 0, Danting 0.
Quarterscores: 23-15, 41-27, 64-51, 77-77, 87-85.
