National University found a familiar comfort at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Ten days ago, NU stunned the UP Fighting Maroons at the same venue
Then the already-eliminated Bulldogs pulled off an impressive 63-54 upset over the top-seeded De La Salle Green Archers, closing their UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball campaign on a high note on Wednesday.
With this win, NU ended the season with a 5-9 record, winning three of its last four games.
They also became the only team this season to defeat both the Green Archers and the Fighting Maroons, who will enter the semifinals as the top two seeds with twice-to-beat advantages.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“So happy sa mga players talaga na binigay nila yung best nila up to the last. See you next year. Ganon ka-simple. Definitely, and hopefully, maging healthy kami talaga next year para at least maganda yung magiging performance namin,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa.
This time, NU got the job done to end La Salle’s nine-game winning streak, unlike their first-round encounter.
In that game, the Green Archers escaped with a 78-75 win after Malian slotman Mo Diassana suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Nigerian center Henry Agunanne tried to rally La Salle from a 42-51 deficit midway through the fourth quarter. He scored six points in an 8-2 run to cut the gap to just three, 50-53, with 4:38 remaining.
However, Jake Figueroa and PJ Palacielo responded with their own 8-2 run, sealing the win with 1:13 left, 61-52.
“Hindi kami nakapasok ng Final Four pero nakita ko buong season yung potential,” said Palacielo, who recorded 16 points and eight rebounds.
He went on, “Masaya rin ako kahit although hindi kami nakapasok ng Final Four, pero yung remaining games namin ngayong second round, ginawa namin nang maayos at tinapos namin nang maayos.”
Figueroa contributed 14 points and three rebounds, while Tebol Garcia chipped in eight points – all in the first half, where the Bulldogs led 38-32.
Patrick Yu and Donn Lim played their final games as Bulldogs.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
La Salle, with a 12-2 record, heads to the Final Four having only lost to NU and the University of the East.
The Bulldogs’ defense limited reigning MVP Kevin Quiambao to just six points on 3-of-17 shooting. He still managed seven rebounds, five assists, and a steal in over 31 minutes.
Phillips led the Green Archers with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Raven Gonzales contributed nine points and nine rebounds.
Agunanne delivered a season-best performance with eight points and 15 rebounds for La Salle.
The Scores:
NU 63 – Palacielo 16, Figueroa 14, Garcia 8, Manansala 6, Enriquez 5, Padrones 5, Jumamoy 3, Yu 3, Dela Cruz 2, Lim 1, Santiago 0, Tulabut 0, Francisco 0, Parks 0.
DLSU 54 – Phillips 18, Gonzales 9, Agunanne 8, Quiambao 6, Ramiro 4, David 3, Macalalag 2, Gollena 2, Dungo 1, Marasigan 1, Konov 0, Austria 0, Alian 0.
Quarterscores: 17-17, 38-32, 47-39, 63-54.
