By Jun Ray Navarres
National University maintained second spot behind Kean Baclaan’s hot shooting to get past Adamson University in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the University of Sto. Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion, Saturday afternoon.
After hitting nothing out of seven from the three-point line in his last two games against De La Salle University and University of the East, Baclaan lifted NU with a 5-out-of-8 from beyond the arc against AdU.
“Pinrove ko lang ‘yong worth ko sa team. Pinakita ko lang kung ano ‘yong kaya ko maitulong sa team. Hindi ko naman inisip ‘yong points, kusa lang din dumating. Parang ngayon lang nangyari sa akin ‘yong limang sunod-sunod na three points,” said Baclaan.
NU was still behind by 11, 30-41 at halftime but Baclaan suddenly caught fire, hitting five straight threes for the Bulldogs to catch up to the Soaring Falcons.
Both teams went up and down for the rest of the game until they tied at 63 halfway into the final stanza.
Baclaan then let his magic work in the next two possessions for NU. First was the penetration basket and second was the pass to Steve Nash Enriquez to give his university a 67-63 cushion.
Adamson’s OJ Ojarikre tried to bring back the momentum to the Soaring Falcons but was rejected by Omar John for a travelling call.
Enriquez then scored another two points for NU but Matthew Montebon answered with a three to set the score to 69-66. Enriquez went on to waste time for the Bulldogs but was trapped by Ced Manzano and Joshua Yerro for the turnover with less than 10 ticks left.
Yerro had the chance to tie the game for Adamson but missed badly off Enriquez’ pesky defense.
“Give credit sa Adamson talaga, alam naman naming hindi porket nandoon sila sa anumang posisyon nila, mahina na. Ever since, I know Coach Nash (Racela) kahit saan siya mapunta nagiging very competitive ‘yong team na ‘yon,” said Bulldogs Head Coach Jeff Napa.
Baclaan finished with 19 points, five assists, and four rebounds while Jake Figueroa contributed 17 points and Enriquez added 13 to improve NU’s record to 6-1.
Matt Erolon led Adamson with 14 points in losing effort.
Soaring Falcons dropped to 3-4 for fifth place, absorbing their second straight loss.
Featured photo courtesy of UAAP
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