By Jun Ray Navarres
National University staged a miraculous fourth quarter comeback, erasing a deficit to defeat University of Santo Tomas, 67-62, and keep their Final Four dreams alive in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball tournament, Wednesday evening at SM MOA Arena.
A back-and-forth second quarter saw both UST and NU trade blows, with the Growling Tigers ultimately seizing a 36-34 lead behind Christian Manaytay.
The España-based squad kept their pace after the huddle, staging a 17-7 outburst in the third period to put them ahead, 53-41. Jake Figueroa and Jolo Manansala stopped the bleeding for the Bulldogs with back-to-back threes before heading into the final period, 47-55.
Tebol Garcia sparked a furious NU rally with a dazzling breakaway layup. PJ Palacielo quickly followed suit with a powerful drive to the basket, bringing them within striking distance at 52-55.
Jake Figueroa inched the Bulldogs closer, 54-55 until Nic Cabañero sunk an open three to give UST a 58-54 advantage.
A flurry of pinpoint passes from NU culminated in a clutch three-pointer by Manansala, giving the guys in white a narrow 59-58 advantage.
Figueroa followed the possession with quick five points to widen the gap for NU, 64-58.
All NU needed next was tighten the leash of UST for little less than five minutes – and they succeeded.
“Number one, doon sa mga hindi naniniwala na tinalo namin ang UP, ito ang kasunod. Hindi tsamba yung tinalo namin ang UP. Hindi malas yung UP, naglaro kami nang tama ganon kasimple. Ngayon tinalo namin UST, naglaro rin kami nang tama ganon lang kasimple,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa, recalling its 67-47 win over UP.
The win propelled the proud representatives from Sampaloc into a 4-8 tie with Far Eastern University for sixth place with two games left in the season
“Ang sarap sa feeling manalo ulit kasi ilang games nga simula nung first round laging close games and then sa dulo doon kami bumibitaw. Ngayon naipakita namin kung paano talaga kami maglaro kasi ganito naman din talaga kami maglaro,” said Manansala, who had 18 points on four triples and seven rebounds.
Palacielo added 15 points and six rebounds, while Figueroa overcame a slow start to contribute 13 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists.
On the other hand, Cabañero paced the Growling Tigers with 19 points, while Tounkara dominated the boards with 18 rebounds to go along with 15 points.
UST maintains their fourth spot at 5-7 but is only half a game away from Adamson University at 4-7.
Images courtesy of UAAP Media Bureau
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