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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Bulldogs survive Falcons to secure first Final Four spot

Bulldogs survive Falcons to secure first Final Four spot

Published Nov 8, 2025 06:31 pm

At A Glance

  • National University showed poise down the stretch to carve out a 66-65 come-from-behind win over Adamson and secure the first Final Four spot in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila Saturday, Nov. 8.
Jake Figuero takes charge anew to pace NU over Adamson. (UAAP Media)
Jake Figuero takes charge anew to pace NU over Adamson. (UAAP Media)
National University showed poise down the stretch to carve out a 66-65 come-from-behind win over Adamson and secure the first Final Four spot in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila Saturday, Nov. 8.
Trailing by eight, 40-48, entering the final quarter, Jake Figueroa took the driver’s seat anew and orchestrated the Bulldogs’ offense with his scoring and playmaking, highlighted by an assist to Mark Parks, who completed the comeback with an and-one play with 10.9 seconds left.
The Falcons suffered a costly turnover on the next possession but stayed alive as Steve Nash Enriquez missed both of his pressure-packed free throws. Moments later, Matt Montebon launched a desperate attempt that nearly dropped with just 1.3 seconds remaining.
Those failed tries led to NU maintaining its position atop of the standings with a 9-2 card, while Adamson went outside the Final Four race as it now holds a 5-6 tally at sixth spot.
It was also a similar outcome in the first round where the Bulldogs overcame an 11-point deficit, 41-52, midway of the fourth frame, before it hacked out a 56-54 escape over the Falcons last Oct. 8, at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
NU’s third straight triumph solidified its place while reigning champion University of the Philippines (8-3) and De La Salle University (6-4) lurked behind.
Figueroa shone again with 13 points, four rebounds, six assists, and two steals, while late-game hero Parks tallied 10 points on top of three rebounds, one assist, and two steals.
Reinhard Jumamoy, who sank clutch triples prior, added eight points on 2-of-3 shooting beyond the arc, while Paul Francisco and Omar John chipped in nine and seven points, respectively.
Montebon, on the other side, steered Adamson with 20 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Cedrick Manzano and Earl Anabo conspired for 23 points in a losing cause.
Ray Allen Torres suffered a bad-shooting night after listing only seven points as the Falcons fell to their second straight loss.
The scores:
NU (66) – Figueroa 13, Parks 10, Francisco 9, Jumamoy 8, John 7, Manansala 5, Garcia 4, Palacielo 4, Padrones 2, Dela Cruz 2, Enriquez 2, Tulabut 0.
AdU (65) – Montebon 20, Manzano 12, Anabo 11, Torres 7, Ojarikre 5, Fransman 3, Jaymalin 3, Perez 2, Demisana 2, Erolon 0, Medina 0, Tumaneng 0, Cañete 0, A. Ronzone 0.
Quarters: 18-14, 31-30, 40-48, 66-65.

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NU Bulldogs UAAP Season 88 Adamson Soaring Falcons
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