Bulldogs nip Tigers, zoom in on semis berth

MANILA, Philippines – National University moved closer to a Final Four berth after clobbering University of Santo Tomas, 75-64, in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tourney at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.

Pau Javelona knocked down back-to-back treys to spark a 14-4 salvo that gave the Bulldogs the lead for good, 74-63, en route to their ninth win in 13 games.

The crucial victory placed the Bulldogs in a tie for third with DLSU, guaranteeing at least a playoff for a semis berth, as the chase for the F4 involving five teams nears a wild finish.

NU and DLSU will face off on Saturday with the winner securing a knockout for No. 2 and twice-to-beat incentive against the loser of the other game pitting co-leaders Ateneo and FEU (10-3).

 The loser between NU and DLSU, on the other hand, risks being forced to a rubber match for No. 4 if University of the East (8-4) hurdles Santo Tomas (5-8) in the last day of elims on Tuesday.

“It was a sloppy game for us. We’re not really happy with the way we played but a win is a win and we know we needed this win badly. So again, we just have to move on and focus on our next game against La Salle,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano.

The Tigers jumped the gun on the Bulldogs and opened a 14-4 lead to start the game but the Bulldogs regrouped and countered with a 14-5 blast to stay within one at the end of the first, 18-19.

“It’s a good thing we’re able to regroup and get our acts together. We started slow, very lethargic but again overall, we committed too many turnovers. Their press bothered us a lot. But it’s a good thing kapag nagkakamali kami, we still try to focus on our defense and somehow, some way, we’re able to at least limit their scoring.

“Kahit masama ang opensa, nako-cover up ng depensa,” said Altamirano, whose team held UST to 10 points in the fourth.

NU got added pressure to win this one as fifth-running UE, which is chasing them for a semis berth, picked up their eighth win in 13 games at the expense of defending champion DLSU, 68-66, in the day’s opening match.

“Syempre you can’t help it, they’re watching the first game. But I told the boys during our huddle/briefing that we run our own race. Ang importante, we take care of our own business and just see from there kung saan kami aabot,” said Altamirano.

The Bulldogs drew a balanced scoring attack led by Gelo Alolino’s 14, Reden Celda’s 13, Glen Khobuntin’s 12, Javelona’s 11 and Troy Rosario’s 10.

Karim Abdul led UST with 15 points, nine rebounds and five steals. Ed Daquioag, who wore a protective mask due to nasal fracture, added 13 markers and five boards as rookie Renzo Subido fired 11, spiked by a three-for-four shooting from beyond the arc.