NATIONAL University staged a massive fourth quarter comeback to shock University of Santo Tomas, 67-62, and remain alive in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Final Four race at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
The Bulldogs opened the payoff period on a huge 17-3 run to overhaul a 55-47 deficit into a 64-58 lead with 4:36 left.
Jolo Manansala, Jake Figueroa, PJ Palacielo, and Tebol Garcia all contributed in that blast that saw the Growling Tigers commit five turnovers
UST had five golden chances to tie or cut its deficit to within one point in the final minute but Christian Manaytay missed two point-blank shots, Nic Cabañero also flunked two easy layups, and Mo Tounkara also blew a shot.
“Number one, doon sa mga hindi naniniwala na tinalo namin ang UP, ito ang kasunod. Hindi tsamba yung tinalo namin ang UP. Hindi malas yung UP, naglaro kami nang tama ganon kasimple. Ngayon tinalo namin UST, naglaro rin kami nang tama ganon lang kasimple,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa, recalling its 67-47 win over UP.
With its second straight win, NU rose to 4-8 for a tie with Far Eastern University at sixth place with two games remaining in their respective schedules.
“Ang sarap sa feeling manalo ulit kasi ilang games nga simula nung first round laging close games and then sa dulo doon kami bumibitaw. Ngayon naipakita namin kung paano talaga kami maglaro kasi ganito naman din talaga kami maglaro,” said Manansala, who had 18 points on four triples and seven rebounds.
Palacielo finished with 15 points and six rebounds, while Figueroa, despite missing his first seven shots, still ended up with 13 points along with 11 rebounds and four assists.
NU looks for three wins in a row on Sunday when it plays Adamson University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Meanwhile, UST dipped to 5-7, staying at fourth but is just half a game ahead of idle Adamson University at 4-7.
Cabañero led the Growling Tigers with 19 points, while Tounkara added 15 points and 18 rebounds.
UST looks to rebound on Saturday against University of the East, also at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
NU 67 – Manansala 18, Palacielo 15, Figueroa 13, Enriquez 6, Santiago 4, Jumamoy 4, Garcia 2, Padrones 2, Francisco 2, Tulabut 1, Lim 0, Yu 0, Parks 0, Perciano 0.
UST 62 – Cabañero 19, Tounkara 15, Paranada 8, Manaytay 6, Padrigao 3, Danting 3, Crisostomo 0, Llemit 0, Lane 0, Estacio 0, Pangilinan 0, Robinson 0.
Quarterscores: 19-12, 34-36, 47-55, 67-62
