JAKE Figueroa just had to take over when push came to shove.
The senior forward scored the last six points for National University, as it came back from an 11-point deficit to take the come-from-behind 56-54 triumph over Adamson on Wednesday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Figueroa powered the Bulldogs' recovery from a 41-52 deficit with 5:33 to play and delivered the go-ahead three-point play in the final minute to escape these pesky Soaring Falcons for this bounce back win in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament.
The Kapampangan stud iced the game with a split from the line to cap off his 17-point night and put the exclamation point in the Jhocson side's 15-2 finishing kick, while also stuffing the stat sheet with three assists, three steals, two rebounds, and two blocks.
But for a time, it didn't look like it will come to be, especially after Adamson staged a scathing 16-1 run abridging the last two frames to grab a 48-38 lead with 8:47 to go.
Yet just like old times, NU buckled down to work with Jolo Manansala igniting the rally with four straight points followed by Gelo Santiago pounding the pressure and scoring five before Figueroa took charge in the clutch.
Manansala notched nine points and eight rebounds, while Santiago got nine for the blue-and-gold, which improved to a 4-1 win-loss record.
NU delivers on D
"Credit sa players namin. Grabe yung depensa namin kasi 'di kami makahulog. Namaga yung ring kumbaga," said coach Jeff Napa, pointing out the Bulldogs' offensive struggles which only saw them shoot 32-percent from the field and an even worse 18-percent clip from deep.
"But the confidence to take the shot and take the risk nandoon. It's all their heart, it's all their effort."
Adamson actually had a shot to steal the win, but Matty Erolon flubbed his drive and AJ Fransman lost grip of the leather leading to Manu Anabo being whistled for the unsportsmanlike foul that basically took the life out of the boys from San Marcelino.
Cedrick Manzano paced Adamson (1-4) with 16 points and four rebounds, as OJ Ojarikre just missed out on a double-double with eight points and 11 boards in the defeat, its third in a row.
The Scores:
NATIONAL U 56 - Figueroa 17, Manansala 9, Santiago 9, Enriquez 6, Parks 5, Palacielo 2, John 2, Francisco 2, Dela Cruz 2, Garcia 2, Jumamoy 0, Padrones 0, Reyes 0.
ADAMSON 54 - Manzano 16, Medina 9, Montebon 8, Ojarikre 8, Erolon 4, Fransman 4, Perez 3, Anabo 2, Jaymalin 0, A. Ronzone 0, Tumaneng 0, Canete 0, C. Ronzone 0, Barcelona 0, Torres 0.
Quarters: 16-20, 28-24, 38-45, 56-54.
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