By Jun Ray Navarres
National University survived gritty De La Salle University in overtime for a solo spot at the top-2 of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball standing, Sunday afternoon at the Mall of Asia Arena, 80-77.
Finishing on a deadlock after the first half, the Bulldogs and the Green Archers went up-and-down until the end of regulation. With 66 seconds left on the clock, DLSU led 64-67 when Michael Phillips denied Jake Figueroa’s penetration.
The block, however, came as a blessing for the Bulldogs as Figueroa retaliated with a three after the inbound play to tie the game, 67-67. Phillips then got a chance to win the game for DLSU after getting fouled but missed both of his trips to the charity line.
“Sinundan ko lang kung ano ang binigay na role sa akin ni coach Jeff kaya ganon lumabas ang laro ko,” shared Figueroa.
Both teams refused to give each other a comfortable lead in overtime until Patrick Yu scored 5-straight points for NU, 74-69 to give the Bulldogs a commanding lead and dictate the tempo for the rest of the game.
“’Pag libre, walang isip-isip… Lahat naman ‘tong mga ‘to walang bawal-bawal. Napunta siya sa sitwasyon at marami na tumutulong para ibigay sa kanya. Wala na ibang gagawin kundi itira niya na yon,” said coach Napa on Yu’s two straight baskets at overtime.
Figueroa powered a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds including three assists and two steals for NU’s winning performance. Jolo Manansala added 13 points while Yu contributed 12 baskets.
Kean Baclaan dished five assists with seven points and seven rebounds despite a 2 for 13 shooting on the field.
Meanwhile, Kevin Quiambao’s monster output of 25 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks/steals for DLSU went down the drain after the loss.
For NU head coach Jeff Napa, the win against a big team like La Salle was a major confidence booster, especially after a disappointing loss to tournament leaders University of the Philippines last Wednesday.
“Ang pakialam kasi namin especially the players, how they perform lalo na when we lost against UP. ‘Yon ang pinaka-concern ko. Coming to opponents na big teams, we have to be competitive,” said Napa at the post-game presser.
“So, naka chamba. Naka chamba kami kasi given La Salle is a very strong team talaga.”
NU will look to maintain newfound momentum against University of the East while DLSU hopes to bounce back against University of the Philippines on Wednesday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Featured photo courtesy of UAAP
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