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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Francisco waxes hot, lifts NU past Bahay-less Ateneo in OT

Francisco waxes hot, lifts NU past Bahay-less Ateneo in OT

Published Oct 18, 2025 05:20 pm

At A Glance

  • Paul Francisco caught fire from the distance and led National University to a 71-66 overtime win over Ateneo to close out their first-round run on a high in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, Oct. 18.
Paul Francisco waxes hot and lifts NU past Ateneo in overtime. (UAAP Media)
Paul Francisco waxes hot and lifts NU past Ateneo in overtime. (UAAP Media)
Paul Francisco caught fire from the distance and led National University to a 71-66 overtime win over Ateneo to close out their first-round run on a high in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday, Oct. 18.
After wasting an 18-point lead in the first half and letting the Blue Eagles mount a comeback, the Bulldogs found answers in Francisco who came out hot and drained three of his four triples, including the back-to-back treys that gave the Bulldogs ample breakaway in the extra period.
The 6-foot-2 guard scored 10 of his 13 points in overtime to help NU notch its sixth win against one loss – an impressive record that was far cry from its 2-5 start last year – at the top of the standings.
Without Jared Bahay who continued to heal from his shoulder injury, Ateneo fell short in crunchtime and suffered its third consecutive loss at 4-3.
“We’re just excited to start the second round that we have the momentum,” said Francisco. “I stayed composed, throughout the game I didn’t play the level I wanted, but thank God I was able to do that.”
“I credit my teammates and coaches on believing in me to keep shooting it and it paid off in overtime,” he added.
“Good win for us pero wala naman kaming pake kung nasaan kami ngayon. Ang mas importante kasi sa amin ay how we perform every game,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa. "[Tyaka] ang importante [din] eh ‘yong growth ng mga players talaga."
Jake Figueroa, despite struggling offensively, finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds with eight assists, including his crucial passes that kept the Bulldogs ahead in the waning minutes, two steals and two blocks.
Steve Nash Enriquez added 12 points, while Omar John and Jolo Manansala scored 11 and nine points, respectively.
Jaden Lazo topscored for Ateneo with 17 points, while Shawn Tuano, who forced the game to overtime with his triple, listed 15 points. Dom Escobar and Ian Espinosa chipped in 14 and 10 points, respectively, in a losing cause.
Kymani Ladi, for his part, had a quiet nine points in 37 minutes of play, shooting just 2-of-13 from the field. The newest Gilas Pilipinas recruit also anchored the paint in place of Divine Adili, who was nursing a back injury.
The scores: 
NU (71) – Figueroa 13, Francisco 13, Enriquez 12, John 11, Manansala 9, Santiago 7, Jumamoy 3, Palacielo 2, Garcia 1, Dela Cruz 0, Padrones 0, Tulabut 0, Parks 0.
Ateneo (66) – Lazo 17, Tuano 15, Escobar 14, Espinosa 10, Ladi 9, Ong 1, Bongo 0, Lazaro 0, Nieto 0, Espina 0, Gamber 0.
Quarterscores: 19-11, 34-22, 48-40, 61-61, 71-66

Related Tags

NU Bulldogs Ateneo Blue Eagles UAAP Season 88
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