JEFF Napa was clear that if National U really wants to win it all, postseason mode begins now.
And in front of a packed crowd at SM Mall of Asia Arena, the Bulldogs did show that they're well worthy to play for the championship.
NU displayed great poise and downed very game Far Eastern U, 70-64, on Wednesday to secure at least a playoff for the top two spots in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball Final Four.
Jake Figueroa, to no one's surprise, rose to the occasion anew with 17 points, six rebounds, and five assists, punctuating this conquest with a booming triple with 1:13 to go that made it a six-point game.
His heroics capped off a scintillating fourth quarter flurry for the Bulldogs who staged a 14-4 barrage to flip the game from a 56-53 deficit to a 67-60 advantage with 2:19 to play.
NU defends homecourt
The beauty from all of it? Figueroa may have starred, but the supporting cast was everpresent once more in this fourth straight victory, as the Jhocson side remained atop the leaderboard at 10-2.
PJ Palacielo added 10 points, four boards, and two assists, Paul Francisco scored nine points, Jolo Manansala came close to a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds, and Reinhard Jumamoy drilled two big triples to wind up with eight.
"The players worked hard talaga," said Napa, sharing his appreciation for the electric crowd that came out to support NU. "Thank you sa community. 'Di ko lang in-expect yung crowd na ganun."
"Pero hindi pa rin kami ganoon ka-satisfied kasi alam namin ito na yung papasok sa last stretch. We're trying to explain sa mga players na ito yung challenge, na kailangan naming abutin yung next level, na ma-meet [namin yung expectations] para yung next stage na gusto naming abutin, magawa namin nang tama."
The Tamaraws gave their all in shooting for the upset, but were condemned to a 4-7 record after this defeat.
Janrey Pasaol presided in this attempt with 15 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and two steals, Kirby Mongcopa got 10 points, five boards, and two dimes, and Mo Konateh collected five points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks.
The Scores:
NU 70 - Figueroa 17, Palacielo 10, Francisco 9, Manansala 8, Jumamoy 8, Parks 5, Enriquez 4, Padrones 4, Garcia 2, John 2, Tulabut 1, Dela Cruz 0, Solomon 0.
FEU 64 - Pasaol 15, Mongcopa 10, Daa 7, Owens 7, Bautista 5, Konateh 5, Felipe 5, Montemayor 4, Jones 4, Ona 2.
Quarters: 18-13, 38-34, 53-48, 70-64.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
