NATIONAL U was not about to let another game against La Salle come down to the same sorry ending.
After losing their first-round encounter in the dying seconds of UAAP Season 89 opening weekend, the Bulldogs made sure to finish the job this time, carving out a hardfought 84-80 triumph over the Green Archers on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
NU nearly found itself staring at a bitter encore, but lead guard Reinhard Jumamoy refused to let history repeat itself when the game tightened late anew.
“Hindi sila bumigay nu’ng dulo despite na nagkaroon ng momentum ‘yung La Salle during the course of the fourth quarter, kaya hats off sa team,” said head coach Jeff Napa.
NU letdowns today
Paul Francisco provided the go-ahead moment, drilling a clutch triple off a Jumamoy setup to put the Bulldogs ahead, 82-80, with 44 seconds left.
After a frantic final stretch, PJ Palacielo calmly knocked down two free throws to finish off the big-time win and cap off a 14-point outing.
Jumamoy rejuvenated his MVP bid with 21 points, 13 coming in the fourth quarter, on top of six assists, five rebounds, and four steals, while Mo Diassana added 19 points and eight rebounds.
The win gave National U much-welcome breathing room at No. 2, improving to 8-3 and avoiding a tie with the defending champions, who dropped to 6-5, just ahead of Ateneo (5-6), UST (4-6), and Adamson (4-7).
Doy Dungo paced DLSU with 19 points, but his effort went for naught, as Jacob Cortez's return from injury resulted in just eight points in 18 minutes of play.
The Scores:
NU 84 — Jumamoy 21, Diassana 19, Palacielo 14, Francisco 9, Garcia 9, Alfanta 5, Padrones 4, Laconsay 3, Reyes 0, Cartel 0, Solomon 0.
LA SALLE 80 — Dungo 19, Tovera 12, Agunanne 12, Macalalag 10, Abadam 10, Cortez 8, Amos 4, Marasigan 3, Gagate 2, Pablo 0, Gomez 0.
Quarters: 24-22, 47-42, 58-61, 84-80.
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