SOMETIMES, you just need a win to hit the reset button.
National University did it the hard way, taking a bit of a reprieve in what has been a struggle of a campaign this UAAP Season 87 with a huge 78-68 victory over Ateneo on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Yes, a singular win doesn’t change the fact that the Bulldogs are still near the bottom of the standings with a measly 2-5 win-loss record to show for their troubles.
But at least for one day, all the pain has gone away.
Jake Figueroa can heave a big sigh of relief, as he helped end NU’s four-game losing skid and scored five of the team's last nine points to put the opposition down. He finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, and four assists for the Jhocson side.
Kenshin Padrones also stepped up big, nabbing a career-high 18 points to go with six rebounds, as Steve Nash Enriquez chipped in nine points and two assists and Jolo Manansala notched eight points, three boards, and two dimes.
“Finally, at least na-break na namin yung skid na heartbreaking,” coach Jeff Napa - still defiant, true to his dogged character - as he and his wards finally broke through once more after a string of close defeats.
“Hopefully, this win will give us confidence heading to the second round. We’re still adjusting, pero credit sa mga players pa rin kasi they try to compete whatever the result.”
The decision sent the Bulldogs' to solo sixth in the standings.
On the other hand, the Blue Eagles succumbed to their worst start in the Final Four era at 1-6, all even with Far Eastern University. By virtue of the Tamaraws' victory in the head-to-head matchup, however, FEU is seventh, while Ateneo is eighth.
Andrew Bongo saw his hot streak go to waste as he finished with 17 points from five triples, while Jared Bahay got 15 points on 3-of-8 shooting from threes, along with four assists and two steals.
The Scores:
NU 78 – Padrones 18, Figueroa 15, Enriquez 9, Manansala 8, Garcia 7, Francisco 6, Palacielo 4, Jumamoy 4, Perciano 3, Dela Cruz 2, Lim 1, Santiago 1, Parks 0.
ATENEO 68 – Bongo 17, Bahay 15, Lazaro 7, Gamber 7, Balogun 6, Tuano 5, Espinosa 4, Koon 2, Quitevis 2, Espina 2, Ong 1, Porter 0.
Quarters: 15-13, 34-28, 58-46, 78-68.
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