NATIONAL UNIVERSITY (NU) forged a joint lead with University of the Philippines (UP) after a gritty 69-65 win over Far Eastern University (FEU) in the battle of emerging squads to end the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball first round on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The NU Bulldogs put the clamps down on the usually potent FEU Tamaraws’ offense, limiting them to just 18 points in the second half to notch their third win in a row for a tie with the UP Fighting Maroons at 5-2.
NU, by virtue of a 72-64 win over UP, however will momentarily hold the top spot entering the second round thanks to its defensive masterclass that also held FEU scoreless inside the last five minutes.
Macmac Alfanta fired 14 points to spearhead a scattered onslaught for the Bulldogs in their third straight win, also tied with the Fighting Maroons as the longest active this season as the Tamaraws absorbed their first back-to-back losses to slide to 4-3 after a red-hot start.
PJ Palacielo and Tebol Garcia chipped in 13 points each while Reinhard Jumamoy and Paul Francisco were also instrumental with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Malian anchor Mo Diassana had seven points 13 rebounds and three blocks.
“Malaking bagay ito para sa character ng team, especially marami kaming bata eh. Kahit paano, nangingibabaw ‘yung willingness nila to work hard para at least mapantayan namin ‘yung effort ng kalaban. Kailangan lang naming maging consistent coming to the second round kasi for sure they will take notice na sa NU,” said coach Jeff Napa.
NU — which lost its core to graduation led by Jake Figueroa, Steve Nash Enriquez and Jolo Manansala — did by banking on its defensive teeth when it mattered most as it limited FEU to just seven points in the payoff period, including zero in the last five when it was trailing 63-65.
Overall, the Bulldogs surrendered only 18 points to the Tamaraws in the second half after allowing 47 in the first half where they trailed by as many as 35-44 against the vengeful Tamaraws eager to rebound from an 81-69 defeat to the Tigers to end a four-game run.
Former UAAP juniors season and Finals MVP Cabs Cabonilas led the Tamaraws with 14 points while reigning UAAP MVP Janrey Pasaol (10) and Mo Konateh (10-15-4) also contributed big time but to no avail. Early MVP contender Kirby Mongcopa bled for only two points in the second half for a total of nine.
FEU, from a solo lead thanks to its best start since its last title run in 2015, tripped to a logjam in the middle of the standings at 4-3 heading into the crucial second round in a bid to also end a three-year Final Four drought.
In women’s play, NU (4-1) fended off FEU (2-3), 66-60, to firm up hold of second spot as Adamson (3-2) escaped La Salle (1-4), 70-68, for joint third place with UP. — John Bryan Ulanday
The scores:
NU 69 – Alfanta 14, Palacielo 13, Garcia 13, Jumamoy 12, Francisco 10, Diasanna 7, Padrones 0, Solomon 0, Reyes 0, Laconsay 0, Serrano 0, Figueroa 0.
FEU 65 – Cabonilas 14, Pasaol 10, Konateh 10, Mongcopa 9, Bautista 7, Daa 6, Burgos 6, Gish 3, Felipe 0, Hall 0.
Quarterscores: 22-25, 39-47, 59-58, 69-65.