National University returned to the win column after routing University of Santo Tomas, 82-51, in the UAAP Season 84 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Thursday, April 7.
Shaun Ildefonso, Jake Figueroa, and Robert Minerva led the third quarter surge for the Bulldogs en route to the 31-point beating as the Tigers were limited to 20 points only after halftime.
NU, which improved to a 3-3 record, pulled away for good with a 25-9 run capped by a Figueroa three-pointer with 47 seconds left in the third quarter for a 20-point lead, 60-40.
The Bulldogs never looked back and reinforced their defense as the Tigers went scoreless in the last five minutes of the same period.
Reyland Torres led all scorers with 12 points and three steals, Figueroa posted 11 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting to go with seven rebounds, while Ildefonso had 10 points and six rebounds for the Bulldogs.
"Good win for us pero siyempre we have to move forward. We have a game on Saturday. There’s no time to celebrate," said NU coach Jeff Napa. “At least after a loss against Ateneo, at least we bounced back with a statement win. At least dadalhin namin to coming to UE (University of the East)."
Nic Cabanero paced the Tigers, who fell to a 2-4 slate, with 11 points, eight rebounds, and three assists while Sherwin Concepcion added 10 points and four rebounds.
NU will next face winless University of the East Saturday, April 9 at 10 a.m. while UST will battle reigning champion Ateneo at 4 p.m. to cap their first round matchups.