NU Coach Altamirano: ‘We cannot afford to do that again’ after a disastrous 4th period
By Maxine Louise Lagman
25 September 2016
WITH a 25-point lead, the National University (NU) Bulldogs became calmed and relaxed knowing that they were almost through another game. However, coming in the fourth period, the NU crowd realized that the Tigers were on the run.
If Bulldogs’ Jay Jay Alejandro did not perfect his four free throw shots in the last period, it might not have been a splendid win for NU over the University of Santo Tomas (UST). Unfortunately, UST came late as NU capped off the game, 75-68 on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“The boys bounced back from their two losses and they are really determined in this game. It’s a good thing that we had a big lead coming into the fourth, kasi six points lang na-shoot namin sa fourth. But in the coming games, we cannot afford to do that again,” said NU Coach Eric Altamirano.
NU was aggressive in handling the game, both in their defense and offense, from first to third period, with a lead as much as 20 points.
However, coming in to the fourth, only Matthew Salem was able to shoot inside the basket with Alejandro’s free throw shots.
Tigers Jon Sherrif and Louie Vigil both exploded in the fourth period, with eight and six points, respectively. UST was on edge with 19-6, but was too late to take the win.
“Naging passive kami ‘nung fourth. Hindi namin sila inatake. Inalagaan lang namin ‘yung lead namin. Buti nalang nung first three quarters, meron kaming lead,” said Alejandro.
Altamirano pointed out that his team got carried away when the Tigers made a run in the fourth, but he continued to remind the Bulldogs to be composed and just stick to their process.
“It was an ugly fourth quarter for us. For some reason we lost our aggressiveness and we became tentative. We had a big lead and we didn’t know how to handle it. We have to learn how to to finish games and it’s a work in progress sa amin. We have to work on that,” added Altamirano.
Alejandro led NU with 16 points with Salem’s double-double 14 points and 10 rebounds. Mohammad Salim and Alfred Aroga added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
NU now trailing behind DLSU, with 3-2 win-loss record. While UST gained another loss, climbing down the standing with 2-3.
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