National University clawed its way out of a 19-point hole and buckled down on defense in the fourth quarter to essay a 71-60 win over a stunned Far Eastern University side in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
The Bulldogs bit back with 45 points in the second half including a telling 18-0 blitz after a sluggish start to string their second straight victory for a 7-3 win-loss record at solo second spot.
Patrick Yu and John Lloyd Clemente struck the finishing blows for NU in the last two minutes with back-to-back triples that put the game away and snapped the Tamaraws’ four-game winning streak.
“We’re lucky enough to come back from down 19 points,” NU coach Jeff Napa said. “At least, they held on in the second half. They really worked hard for that comeback.”
NU trailed, 36-17, late in the second quarter before mounting a rally to turn the tables around and avenge its stinging first round loss to FEU.
“Luckily, we got the momentum. We were able to play our game in the second half,” Napa, whose squad limited FEU to just eight points in the fourth quarter, said.
Yu finished with 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting clip including three treys. He dished out six assists and pulled down three rebounds for the Bulldogs.
Jolo Manansala had 12 markers, Clemente got 11 points while John Figueroa posted a double-double with 10 markers and 13 rebounds for NU.
Yu sank a triple to give the Bulldogs a 66-58 lead with 2:11 left. After Bryan Sajonia split his charities for FEU, Clemente answered with five straight points he ignited with a trey to ice the match.
The Tamaraws slid to 4-6 card despite the 27-point effort of Sajonia.
Xyrus Torres got 10 points while Patrick Sleat had nine for FEU.
The Scores:
NU (71) — Yu 15, Manansala 12, Clemente 11, Figueroa 10, Baclaan 7, Palacielo 6, John 2, Malonzo 2, Minerva 2, Padrones 2, Tibayan 2, Enriquez 0, Galinato 0, Mahinay 0.
FEU (60) — Sajonia 27, Torres 10, Sleat 9, Tchuente 8, Tempra 5, Sandagon 1, Alforque 0, Anonuevo 0, Bautista 0, Bagunu 0, Celzo 0.
Quarters: 15-20, 26-38, 48-52, 71-60.
