NU scores comeback win against FEU to stay in playoffs contention
By Maxine Louise Lagman
8 November 2017
The National University remains in the Final Four contention after escaping a narrow end against Far Eastern University, 87-84, Wednesday in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the win, the Bulldogs are now a game behind fourth-running Tamaraws with a 5-8 record, while FEU missed their chance to close in on a semifinals spot.
“This is what I was expecting from our players, yung maturity. Like what we said, we can fast-track everything, but the maturity and experience, you cannot fast-track. I’m happy right now, because I saw the maturity and I hope it’s not too late,” said coach Jamike Jarin.
It was a hard win for the Bulldogs as the Tamaraws knocked down 11 of their record breaking 18 three-pointers in the season, which gave them a 15-point advantage in the first half.
With J-Jay Alejandro leading the pack, NU was able to make a comeback late in the fourth to cut a 79-64 deficit. Alejandro’s booming triple gave the Bulldogs the lead in the last 4:51 in the game, 82-81.
“Alejandro demanded for the ball and he made the right decisions and the team executed very well. Hats off to Alejandro, but it was a total team effort,” added Jarin.
Graduating guard Alejandro had 17 points, six rebound and nine assistsm while Issa Gaye topped NU with 24 points.
Meanwhile, Arvin Tolentino and Ron Dennison fired 21 points each for FEU in the losing effort.
The Scores:
