TOP DOGS
With notable turnarounds, National University and University of Santo Tomas got what they wanted out of Saturday’s UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament doubleheader.
For the Bulldogs, it was a 27-point turnaround that began when they faced an 18-point deficit early in the third quarter.
Turning to its key cogs, NU clawed back to frustrate University of the East, 83-74, and clinch the first twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.
“I think our players assumed UE wasn’t going to play seriously,” said NU coach Jeff Napa. “We were too relaxed … I [challenged the players], ‘Is this the level you want to play at when we’re about to enter the Final Four? If you want to succeed at the next level, you have to give your best.’”
The Bulldogs responded. Jolo Manansala, Omar John and Mark Parks helped trim the deficit to two late in the third before PJ Palacielo, Jake Figueroa, John and Manansala combined efforts to give NU a 75-63 cushion with 2:57 left in the game.
UE dropped its 13th straight game this season, 19th overall from last year.
The Tigers, according to versatile forward Gelo Crisostomo, reverted to their old identity to defeat Ateneo, 67-59, in the other game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We returned to our old identity,” Crisostomo, who had 10 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, said. “I’m happy it resulted in another win.”
More likely, though, making free throws helped.
UST had been struggling at the stripe of late, shooting 24-of-39 in a 109-97 victory over UE and, more notably, missing 24 out of 58 free throws in an 89-88 loss to the University of the Philippines.
This time, the Tigers made 22 of 28 freebies.
Bounce back
It was a second straight victory for UST after dropping four consecutive games, putting the Tigers at solo fourth.
“When we lost four straight, we were aching to bounce back,” Crisostomo said.
“We’re glad that we got our much-needed win. Still happy with our progress at this stage of the season, [and] we still want to improve each practice, each game,” said Forthsky Padrigao, who had two triples to turn a four-point lead into a 59-49 cushion for the Tigers.
Meanwhile, John had 14 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks for the Bulldogs while Figueroa chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Collins Akowe, on the other hand, led the Tigers with 15 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks. Nic Cabañero added 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Those standouts will be the ones shouldering the load again when the Bulldogs and the Tigers clash on Nov. 23.
