Bulldogs survive Nalos-less Falcons in OT

MANILA, Philippines -- Defending champion National U Bulldogs snapped their three-game slide after escaping past Adamson Falcons, 85-79, overtime on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to pump up their sagging Final Four bid alive in the UAAP Season 78.

Former national youth player JJ Alejandro sizzled with 22 points including NU's first eight points in the overtime while Alfred Aroga came through with 17 and 11 boards as the Bulldogs overcame the monster game of Pape Sarr.

Behind Sarr's 32 points, 17 rebounds and five shot blocks, the Falcons looked poised to extend the Bulldogs' woes as they led for the most part.

But NU battled back from as many as 11 points down to chalk up its fourth win in 10 games and inched closer to the upper half of the standings.

Ivan Villanueva, the only other Falcon to finish in double figures with 10 points, forced the overtime with a basket in the final 13 seconds of regulation.

Alejandro then greeted the Falcons with eight straight points as the Bulldogs built a five-point cushion, 80-75, heading into the last 1:19 of the game.

The Falcons officially bowed out of Final Four contention after suffering their ninth loss against a single win.

Adamson missed the services of its star point guard Joseph Nalos, who was suspended for a disqualifying foul in their previous loss to Ateneo over the weekend.