NATIONAL University booked a return trip to the Final Four with a 68-57 win over Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
Jake Figueroa led NU to the semis-clinching win with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting and six rebounds as the Bulldogs kept pace with league-leading UP Maroons at 9-2 (win-loss).
READ: UP advances to Season 86 Final Four with close win over UE
FEU’s Final Four hopes dimmed further after a third consecutive defeat dropped the Tamaraws to 3-8.
“We’re blessed na nakuha namin ‘tong W. Credit sa mga players namin talaga for really stepping up especially nu’ng second half. ‘Yung desire na gusto nilang makuha ‘yung W, lumabas,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa.
“Although nagkaroon ng konting lapses, nandu’n pa rin ‘yung mindset to recover right away at ‘yung awareness nila sa kung ano ‘yung nawala. Players’ game talaga ‘to,” he added.
After a tight first half, it became a rather straightforward win for the Bulldogs as Figueroa & Co. broke loose for good behind a 14-4 run to open the third quarter.
L-Jay Gonzales once again led FEU with 14 points and 11 boards, but it wasn’t enough to save the Tamaraws from slipping closer to elimination.
The scores:
NU (68) – Figueroa 15, Manansala 11, Palacielo 10, Malonzo 9, Baclaan 7, John 7, Lim 5, Jumamoy 2, Gulapa 2, Yu 0, Parks 0, Casinillo 0, Delos Reyes 0.
FEU (57) – Gonzales 14, Torres 11, Bautista 10, Sleat 8, Añonuevo 6, Tempra 4, Faty 3, Ona 1, Bagunu 0, Competente 0, Felipe 0.
Quarterscores: 21-18, 37-32, 58-46, 68-57.
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