Bulldogs back on winning track with a victory against hapless Tigers
By Maxine Louise Lagman
22 October 2017
National University came back to the winning column after eliminating University of Santo Tomas with a 91-83 win in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Losing five of their last six game, NU needed the win badly to improve to a 4-6 card and strengthen their bid for a Final Four spot, while UST was sent to a worst 0-10 record and was eliminated from the Final Four race.
“Kailangan na kailangan namin na Manalo ngayon,” said NU assistand coach Danny Ildefonso. “Malaki pa ang chance naming makapasok sa Final Four at huwag naman sana Manalo samin ‘yung UST.”
UST started the game at a high note as it led by as much as seven points in the first half, but the Bulldogs just warmed up to take the lead in the second half behind the leadership of Issa Gaye and Matt Salem, who made back-to-back baskets to take an 80-65 lead in the last 7:29 minutes of the game.
Salem led the Bulldogs with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Gaye finished with another 22 markers, along with six rebounds and six blocks.
Jjay Alejandro chipped in 10 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa coaching staff, assistant and players namin. Thank you kay God, kasi sabi ko sakanila, wala pa naman akong experience sa coaching, pero sabi ko, si God na ang bahala sa game,” added Ildefonso as he mentored the Bulldogs without coach Jamike Jarin, who was suspended for the game from NU’s loss to Ateneo last Wednesday.
Steve Akomo led the Growling Tigers with a 16-point 12-rebound double-double record, while Marvin Lee and Oliver De Guzman added 15 and 14 markers, respectively, in the losing effort.
