National University outlasted De La Salle University, 80-77, in overtime yesterday to climb into second place in the leaderboard in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
After Green Archer Evan Nelle cut the deficit to two with a triple with 14 seconds to go, Bulldog Kean Baclaan found himself on the stripe where he halved his charities with 1.4 ticks remaining to close out scoring.
Mark Nonoy’s prayer from halfcourt didn’t go in as time expired to allow the Bulldogs to raise their win-loss record to 4-1 for second place in the standings while dropping the Archers’ slate to 3-2 for third place.
Regulation ended at 67-all thanks to a trey by Jake Figueroa of De La Salle with 48 seconds on the gameclock.
When it appeared that the Bulldogs would coast to a trouble-free win in extra period, Nonoy and Mike Philips struck with back-to-back baskets to cut the deficit to three, 74-77, with under 20 seconds left.
Donn Lim then responded and put some distance with a layup to make it 79-74 before Nelle struck from downtown.
“We don’t care about the standings. I only care about the team’s performance,” said Bulldogs tactician Jeff Napa said.
