
By NIKOLE JAVIER
National University crawled back from a 19-point hole to frustrate Far Eastern University, 71-60, in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Patrick Yu tallied 15 points apart from six assists and three rebounds to help the Bulldogs improve to a 7-3 record.
NU got back to its feet heading into the fourth and triggered a 20-0 run capped by a Kean Baclaan layup to take its first lead of the match, 57-52.
From then on, the Bulldogs protected their advantage which extended to eight points off a Yu jumper followed by a three-pointer.
John Lloyd Clemente then drained a triple before he was sent to the foul line and split his free throws to ice the game.
“We’re luck enough to come back down 19 points. Mga players ko di bumitaw nung second half, tinrabaho nila at least nakabalik kami at nakuha namin ‘yong momentum napunta sa amin yong way na gusto namin. We do it our way, we find ways, nagawan namin ng paraan,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa.
Bryan Sajonia's career-high of 27 points, on the other hand, was spoiled as FEU fell into a 4-6 hole.
The Scores:
NU 71 -- Yu 15, Manansala 12, Clemente 11, Figueroa 10, Baclaan 7, Palacielo 6, John 2, Malonzo 2, Minerva 2, Padrones 2, Tibayan 2, Enriquez 0, Galinato 0, Mahinay 0.
FEU 60 -- Sajonia 27, Torres 10, Sleat 9, Tchuente 8, Tempra 5, Sandagon 1, Alforque 0, Anonuevo 0, Bautista 0, Bagunu 0, Celzo 0.
Quarters: 15-20, 26-38, 48-52, 71-60.