National University staged a massive fourth-quarter comeback to stun University of Santo Tomas, 67-62, and keep its UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Final Four hopes alive at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
The Bulldogs launched the payoff period with a huge 17-3 run, overturning a 55-47 deficit into a 64-58 lead with 4:36 left.
Jolo Manansala, Jake Figueroa, PJ Palacielo, and Tebol Garcia all contributed to the run, which was fueled by five crucial turnovers from the Growling Tigers.
UST had multiple chances in the final minute to narrow the gap or tie the game, but Christian Manaytay missed two close-range attempts,
Nic Cabañero botched two layups, and Mo Tounkara also missed a shot.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Number one, doon sa mga hindi naniniwala na tinalo namin ang UP, ito ang kasunod. Hindi tsamba yung tinalo namin ang UP. Hindi malas yung UP, naglaro kami nang tama ganon kasimple. Ngayon tinalo namin UST, naglaro rin kami nang tama ganon lang kasimple,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa, referring to their recent 67-47 win over UP.
With its second straight win, NU improved to 4-8, tying Far Eastern University for sixth place with two games remaining on each of their schedules.
“Ang sarap sa feeling manalo ulit kasi ilang games nga simula nung first round laging close games and then sa dulo doon kami bumibitaw. Ngayon naipakita namin kung paano talaga kami maglaro kasi ganito naman din talaga kami maglaro,” said Manansala, who tallied 18 points on four triples, along with seven rebounds.
Palacielo added 15 points and six rebounds, while Figueroa, despite missing his first seven shots, finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists.
NU aims for a third straight win on Sunday when it faces Adamson University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, UST fell to 5-7, holding onto fourth place but now just half a game ahead of idle Adamson at 4-7.
Cabañero led the Growling Tigers with 19 points, while Tounkara contributed 15 points and a game-high 18 rebounds.
UST will try to bounce back on Saturday against the University of the East, also at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
NU 67 – Manansala 18, Palacielo 15, Figueroa 13, Enriquez 6, Santiago 4, Jumamoy 4, Garcia 2, Padrones 2, Francisco 2, Tulabut 1, Lim 0, Yu 0, Parks 0, Perciano 0.
UST 62 – Cabañero 19, Tounkara 15, Paranada 8, Manaytay 6, Padrigao 3, Danting 3, Crisostomo 0, Llemit 0, Lane 0, Estacio 0, Pangilinan 0, Robinson 0.
Quarterscores: 19-12, 34-36, 47-55, 67-62
