IN the first quarter of the first game last year, National U lost its foreign student-athlete and ultimately dropped its opener.
Jake Figueroa made sure that wasn't happening again now in UAAP Season 88, turning it on right from the get-go on Sunday to shoot the Bulldogs over University of the East, 72-57, inside the UST Quadricentennial Pavillion.
Figueroa scored seven points in the first five minutes, as NU raced to a 16-7 start before his triple punctuated a 14-1 blast that turned a 39-34 halftime lead into a massive 53-35 margin in their favor at the 5:29 mark of the third quarter.
The do-it-all wing stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, six rebounds, five steals, three assists, and two blocks to help his side to a strong start in campaign where they aim to get back to the Final Four - and perhaps even the finals.
"Thankful ako na nakuha namin yung first game namin. Malaking bagay 'to para sa confidence namin," he said in the post-game conference.
Of course, Figueroa wasn't alone, as he was flanked by Paul Francisco who had 12 points; Kenshin Padrones who had 10 markers and nine rebounds; and Omar John and Gelo Santiago who each had eight points.
Bulldogs bark and bite
The convincing victory was a reversal of the Bulldogs' fate in their opener last year when they lost Mo Diassana in the first quarter and fell victim to a cardiac comeback by then-Kevin Quiambao-led La Salle.
"Mahaba pa yung season. Very important for us is to be healthy. Masaya kami at least na nalampasan namin 'tong first game na kahit papaano, walang nangyari sa players," said head coach Jeff Napa.
NU also leaned on its forceful defense for this strong start, as it forced 18 turnovers which they quickly converted into 21 points.
Precious Momowei posted a 12-point, 16-rebound double-double, while John Abate scored 10 markers for the Red Warriors who absorbed their seventh straight loss dating back to a year ago when they went 6-3 only to dig themselves into this huge hole.
After being on the losing end in his collegiate coaching debut, Chris Gavina will go back to the drawing board to find ways to better integrate veteran shooter Wello Lingolingo and one-and-done guard Drayton Caoile who combined for just eight points in 4-of-16 shooting.
The Scores:
NATIONAL U 72 - Figueroa 16, Francisco 12, Padrones 10, John 8, Santiago 8, Palacielo 6, Jumamoy 4, Manansala 3, Enriquez 3, Garcia 2, Dela Cruz 0, Parks 0, Solomon 0 , Tulabut 0, Reyes 0
UE 57 - Momowei 12, Abate 10, Tanedo 8, Cruz-Dumont 5, Datumalim 5, Caoile 4, Lagat 4, Lingolingo 4, Jimenez 4, Rosete 1, Dobles 0, Mulingtapang 0, Cabero 0, Malaga 0, Despi 0
Quarters: 24-20, 39-34, 59-45, 72-57
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