Bulldogs frustrate Falcons in OT

It took National University an extra five minutes but the Bulldogs still did it, beating the Adamson Falcons, 84-81, yesterday at the close of the first round of the 64th UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Ateneo gym.

Sophomore Ephraim Tolentino pumped in seven points in overtime but it was the diminutive Froilan Baguion who played big in that stretch as the NU guard kept the Bulldogs together with heady plays on top of scoring six free throws that sealed the win for the team.

It was NU’s fourth win in seven outings while dealing the Falcons their seventh straight loss.

In the other seniors game, Patrick Madarang and rookie Kenneth Robin stepped up when chief gunner Michael Bravo turned cold as University of the Philippines turned back University of the East, 76-68.

Madarang fired five triples on his way to 24 points while Robin chipped in 13 to lead the Maroons to their second win against five losses.

The Warriors, who played minus the injured James Yap, slipped to 3-4.

Adamson came so close in finally ending its long winless run as Edilberto Mangulabnan completed a three-point play that shoved the Falcons to a 71-68 lead with 5.7 seconds remaining in the contest.

But that was enough for the Bulldogs to extend the game as Chico Manabat buried a three-pointer at end of regulation.

Actually, NU lost its key players -- Ariel De Castro, Alfie Grijaldo and Rey Mendoza -- on fouls one after the other in regulation. But Baguion and Tolentino stepped up to carry the cudgels for the Bulldogs.

"The key is that we did not give up. We stayed focus in crucial situations in overtime and credit goes to my players, especially Baguion and Tolentino," said NU coach Manny Dandan.

With De Castro, Grijaldo and Mendoza out, bulky Steve Roland and Mangulabnan took charge for the Bulldogs, who battled back from a 45-50 deficit to grab a 62-58 lead.

The seldom-used Joel Hate scored a career-high 17 points and 13 rebounds for Adamson, which wrested the lead at 78-77 lead with over two minutes remaining.

The loss was Adamson’s 27th in row dating back to the second round of the 1999 season.

NU, on the other hand, matched its record last season with the Bulldogs eyeing a Final Four stint this year. — Joey Villar