NU escapes FEU to finish first round on top
National University outlasted Far Eastern University in a grind-it-out battle, 69-65, to claim the top spot at the end of the first round of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Bulldogs finished the first round with a 5-2 record, tied with the UP Fighting Maroons, but secured the top spot through the winner-over-the-other rule.
For NU head coach Jeff Napa, the ranking should motivate his team to become more consistent moving forward as teams continue to battle for position in the second round, which begins on Wednesday.
“It was our game nung second half. Nung first half we gave up too many possessions sa kalaban… ‘Yun ang mindset namin na winners set standards. ‘Yun ang kailangan naming ma-address para, coming into second round, maging consistent pa rin kami. At least kahit papaano ‘yung mga players pinuprove sa mga doubters na kaya nilang makipag-compete,” said Napa.
Although Mac Alfanta’s mid-range jumper at the 2:24 mark and PJ Palacielo’s hook shot with 1:53 remaining proved decisive, defense ultimately dictated the outcome.
After missing his first nine shots of the game, Jorick Bautista suddenly caught fire, scoring seven consecutive points to turn a 58-63 deficit into a 65-63 lead for the Tamaraws with 4:47 remaining.
Mo Diassana answered with a thunderous jam off a perfectly timed lob pass from Reinhard Jumamoy to tie the game. Alfanta and Palacielo then delivered the decisive baskets for NU.
FEU failed to make a single field goal in the final 4:47, missing all six attempts and committing three turnovers.
Alfanta led NU’s balanced scoring attack with 14 points, followed by Palacielo, who contributed 13 points and eight rebounds.
Tebol Garcia also chipped in 13 points, and Jumamoy delivered an all-around performance with 12 points, seven assists, and four rebounds.
Paul Francisco added 10 points, while Diassana finished with seven points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks.
The once-red-hot Tamaraws, meanwhile, suffered their second consecutive loss to finish the first round with a 4-3 record. They are tied with the UST Growling Tigers for third place and could be joined by either the De La Salle Green Archers or the Adamson Soaring Falcons, depending on the result of their game later in the day.
Rookie Cabs Cabonillas led FEU with 14 points and five rebounds, while reigning MVP Janrey Pasaol added 10 points and six assists but struggled from the field, shooting just 2-of-11.
Mo Konateh posted 10 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks, three steals, and two assists.
Kirby Mongcopa, on the other hand, was limited to just two points in the second half, finishing with nine points on 4-of-9 shooting.