National University continued its giant-slaying ways as it upset De La Salle University, 63-54, to wrap up its Season 87 campaign on a high note in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila Wednesday, Nov. 13.

The Bulldogs showed big heart on both ends, especially in the fourth quarter where the lead ballooned to 10, 49-39, against the top seed Archers who were the latest victims of the Sampaloc-based squad which also stunned the UP Fighting Maroons last week.

With its win, NU closed out its campaign with a 5-9 card and exacted it revenge over La Salle, which suffered its second loss in 14 games.

PJ Palacielo carried the scoring cudgels for NU with 16 points on top of eight rebounds while Jake Figueroa backed him up with 14 points.

On the other hand, Mike Phillips was the only double-digit scorer for La Salle, chalking up 18 points along with 10 rebounds. Raven Gonzales and Henry Agunnane added nine and eight markers, respectively. 

NU seized an early 9-1 lead but DLSU stormed back to tie the score heading into the second canto.

Kevin Quiambao, who had a lethargic performance off his 3-of-17 shooting to put up a quiet six points, rallied the Archers back to take a 28-27 lead. 

But the Bulldogs remained calm despite the repeated attacks of the Archers to complete the stunning win.
 
 

NU (63) – Palacielo 16, Figueroa 14, Garcia 8, Manansala 6, Enriquez 5, Padrones 5, Jumamoy 3, Yu 3, Dela Cruz 2, Lim 1, Santiago 0, Tulabut 0, Parks 0, Francisco 0.

DLSU (54) – Phillips 18, Gonzales 9, Agunnane 8, Quiambao 6, Ramiro 4, David 3, Macalalag 2, Gollena 2, Dungo 1, Marasigan 1, Konov 0, Austria 0, Alian 0.

Quarterscores: 17-17, 38-32, 47-39, 63-54