NATIONAL University snapped a two-game skid with a 75-68 victory over University of Sto. Tomas on Sunday in the UAAP Season 79 basketball tournament at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Bulldogs posted their third win in five outings, joining Far Eastern University, Adamson, and Ateneo in joint second behind unbeaten La Salle.
NU led by as many as 25 points but saw it trimmed to single digit after scoring only six points in the fourth period.
“It was an ugly fourth quarter for us. For some reason, we lost our aggressiveness and we became tentative. I thought we played like playing not to lose. We had a big lead and we didn’t know how to manage it. It’s a lesson for a young team like us,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano.
J-Jay Alejandro atoned for his scoreless performance against Adamson last Wednesday, topscoring for the Bulldogs with 16 points.
Matt Salem added 14 point and 10 rebounds.
Birthday boy Louie Vigil had 17 points for the Tigers, who fell to 2-3.
The scores:
NU 75 — Alejandro 16, Salem 14, Salim 11, Aroga 10, R. Diputado 8, Aquino 5, Mosqueda 5, Gallego 2, C. Diputado 2, Abatayo 2, Morido 0, Sinclair 0, Pate 0, Yu 0, Rangel 0.
UST 68 — Vigil 17, Sheriff 16, Lee 8, Afoakwah 7, Subido 6, Lao 5, Basibas 4, Macasaet 2, Caunan 2, Huang 1, Faundo 0, De Guzman 0, Arana 0.
Quarterscores: 27-15; 46-29; 69-49; 75-68.
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