9 October 2019
By Maxine Louise Lagman
MANILA, Philippines – National University banked on a strong overtime finish that swept Far Eastern University, 85-79, on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
This serves as the Bulldogs’ only second win in the league, sweeping the Tamaraws after a 61-39 rout in the first round for a
“We just came back to basics in this game,” said NU head coach Jamike Jarin post-game. “What was the formula? The formula was just basic. Believing, going back to basics, and just following instructions.”
The Bulldogs were in full control of the game and led by as much as 18 points in the third quarter, 53-35. They continued with a 65-50 advantage in the final period with only eight minutes left.
But, the Tamaraws, who were looking for revenge, instigated a 17-0 run. Barkley Ebona scored an inside bucket for FEU that inched them within one, 68-69. NU’s John Lloyd Clemente answered back with a booming triple for a 71-68 lead.
14 seconds left in the payoff period, Ebona once again came to the rescue to tie the game at 71-all. JV Gallego tried to score another for NU, but his jumper fell short, which sent the game to overtime.
Dave Ildefonso paced the Bulldogs as they went for an 8-0 run to open the extra period, 79-71. Despite Xyrus Torres’ three-pointer in the final 30 seconds of the game, NU would only answer back with their own buckets to completely take lead of the game until the buzzer.
Dave Ildefonso led the Bulldogs with a 27-point, 11-rebound double-double, while Issa Gaye had 16 points and 10 boards in his name. Clemente added another 15 in the win.
For FEU, Ebona finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds as they dropped to a 4-5 win-loss record.
The scores:
NU 85 — D. Ildefonso 27, Gaye 16, Clemente 15, Oczon 8, Gallego 5, Minerva 4, S. Ildefonso 3, Galinato 2, Malonzo 2, Rangel 2, Yu 1, Diputado 0, Joson 0, Mangayao 0, Tibayan 0.
FEU 79 — Ebona 15, Alforque 11, Comboy 11, Stockton 9, Tchuente 9, Torres 9, Tuffin 7, Gonzales 6, Bienes 2, Cani 0, Nunag 0.
Quarter scores: 15-13, 39-32, 62-47, 71-71, 85-79.
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