By NIKOLE JAVIER
National University fended off a late scare from University of the East for a 70-61 win in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Justin Palacielo made the most of his eight-minute stint on the floor for NU, showing the way with 10 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting clip.
The Bulldogs set the pace for most of the contest and remained composed in the final period to improve to 8-3 in the standings, keeping themselves in good position to take a semifinal berth at the second spot.
Palacielo, who scored all his 10 points in the final period, extended NU’s lead by 11 with a layup to unwrap the quarter before UE regained its scoring touch with a 16-7 run to make it 55-57.
However, the Bulldogs were quick to take action and responded with a 7-0 run of their own courtesy of Palacielo’s back-to-back jumpers capped by a Steven Nash Enriquez triple.
With 1:31 to go, Kyle Paranada finally found his footing and answered with a three-pointer to cut down UE’s deficit by six.
But NU’s John Figueroa and Palacielo pulled up for two more jumpers before Nikko Paranada fired a triple for UE, 68-61.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, their rally was a little too late to complete a comeback as they run out of time.
For UE’s part, Gani Stevens finished with 14 points on top of five rebounds while Luis Villegas and Cj Payawal added 13 and 12 respectively.
The Scores
NU 70 - Palacielo 10, Clemente 10, Figeuroa 9, Galinato 9, John 8, Malonzo 7, Enriquez 6, Manansala 5, Baclaan 2, Yu 2, Mahinay 2, Minerva 0, Padrones 0
UE 61 - Stevens 14, Villegas 13, Payawal 12, Pagsanjan 7, K. Paranada 6, N. Paranada 5, Sawat 4, Tulabut 0, Remogat 0, Antiporda 0, Gilbuena 0
Quarterscores - 16-13, 35-24, 48-39, 70-61