NATIONAL U spent much of the first half chasing Far Eastern University, but once it did in the third quarter, it never let up all the way to a well-earned 69-65 win on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
The Bulldogs found their opening after the break, holding the Tamaraws to just 11 points while scoring 20 of their own to take control, which they never relinquished en route to a share of first with the University of the Philippines at 5-2 in UAAP Season 89.
FEU just could not get going once more to drop its second straight following a 4-1 start to the season, joining University of Santo Tomas in third-place.
Who let (more Bulldogs) out?
Mac Alfanta delivered the best game of his first campaign in blue-and-gold, scoring 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
PJ Palacielo and Tebol Garcia chipped in 13 points apiece, but it was crystal clearly defense that turned the game around for NU.
After allowing 25 and 22 points in the first two frames, the Bulldogs ratcheted up their intensity and muzzled the Tams' plethora of weapons.
“We played our game nu’ng second half kasi nu’ng first half, we really gave too many extra possessions sa kalaban namin. In-adress namin ‘yung second chance points nila at tinapatan namin ‘yung effort na binibigay ng kalaban,” said head coach Jeff Napa.
In all, National U forced FEU to a ghastly 31.5-percent shooting clip, with all of Janrey Pasaol (10 points, 2-of-11 FGs), Mo Konateh (10 points, 4-of-13 FGs), Kirby Mongcopa (9 points, 4-of-9 FGs), and Jorick Bautista (7 points, 3-of-16 FGs) struggling to string together makes.
Prized rookie Cabs Cabonilas was the Tamaraws' brightest spot with 14 points, including two triples.
The Scores:
NU 69 — Alfanta 14, Palacielo 13, Garcia 13, Jumamoy 12, Francisco 10, Diassana 7, Padrones 0, Solomon 0, Reyes 0, Laconsay 0, Serrano 0, Figueroa 0.
FEU 65 — Cabonilas 14, Pasaol 10, Konateh 10, Mongcopa 9, Bautista 7, Daa 6, Burgos 6, Gish 3, Felipe 0, Hall 0.
Quarters: 22-25, 39-47, 59-58, 69-65.
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