Games today:
(Mall of Asia Arena)
2 p.m. — UST vs UE
4 p.m. — UP vs Ateneo
National University weathered a late scare from Adamson University in a 58-54 escape for a taste of the solo lead in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
Mike Malonzo sank timely baskets to keep the Bulldogs at a safe distance before Jake Figueroa secured the Bulldogs’ fourth win in five games with a split on the line in the last 4.9 seconds.
The Bulldogs snagged their second straight win while snapping the Falcons’ two-game roll.
“Luckily, we got this win but still, we’re unsatisfied because they outrebounded us and we gave too many inside points,” NU coach Jeff Napa said.
John Lloyd Clemente led NU with 14 points, while Malonzo had seven points and nine rebounds. Kean Baclaan also got eight points, seven rebounds, and four steals.
Malonzo completed a three-point play to give NU a 54-49 cushion in the last 3:09 after Adamson came within two. The big man again scored from underneath for a 56-51 Bulldogs lead with 41.7 ticks left.
Jerom Lastimosa opened an opportunity for the Falcons with a trey to cut their deficit to 57-54 with 6.1 seconds left before Figueroa’s crucial charity.
Cedrick Manzano had 12 points and eight rebounds while Lastimosa chipped in 11 points and six assists but committed eight turnovers for Adamson, which slid to 2-3 card.
Vince Magbuhos, who came off a 23-point outing with seven triples, was held to just two points on an atrocious 1-of-11 clip.
In the first game, De La Salle bounced back with an emphatic rout of hapless Far Eastern University, 87-70.
The Green Archers quickly took control of the game and entered the half with a 25-point lead to cruise to their third win in five games following a shocking loss from the hands of University of the East last Wednesday.
The Scores:
First game
LA SALLE (87) — Winston 23, Quiambao 16, Manuel 14, Nelle 8, Austria 7, Nwankwo 6, Estacio 5, Cortez 4, B. Phillips 2, Abadam 2.
FEU (70) — Gonzales 16, Sajonia 15, Sleat 12, Torres 10, Bagunu 8, Tchuente 3, Tempra 2, Ona 2, Anonuevo 1, Celzo 1, Alforque 0, Sandagon 0.
Quarters: 18-10, 50-25, 74-49, 87-70.
Second game
NU (58) — Clemente 14, Baclaan 8, Malonzo 7, Figueroa 7, Enriquez 7, Yu 7, Manansala 2, Tibayan 2, John 2, Galinato 2, Padrones 0, Mahinay 0, Minerva 0, Palacielo 0.
Adamson (54) — Manzano 12, Lastimosa 11, Douanga 9, Yerro 7, Colonia 4, Hanapi 4, Jaymalin 3, V. Magbuhos 2, Torres 2, W. Magbuhos 0, Barcelona 0, Fuentebella 0, Flowers 0.
Quarters: 11-11, 28-25, 41-35, 58-54.