National University saw its seven-year losing streak to De La Salle University come to a screeching halt on Wednesday, 19 Octoberthe as the Bulldogs growled their way to an 80-76 win in Season 85 University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulldogs got the job done thanks to the duo of Steve Nash Enriquez and John Lloyd Clemente, who both poured in 16 points each to give the squad its first victory over La Salle since October 2015.
Bulldogs’ win didn’t come in handy, though.
With barely a minute to go, Mike Philips scored on a teardrop and Kevin Quiambao hit a triple to threaten at 79-76.
A bid to equalize failed as Quiambao could not connect from beyond the arc with four ticks remaining and Clemente got fouled and halved his charities with 0.7 on the clock to close out scoring.
Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa was delighted by their big win over one of the league’s solid contenders but is not about to lower his guard.
“I told my players that there’s nothing wrong with being one of the big boys but it won’t happen until we work hard for it,” Napa said.
The mission is far from finished, he said.
“We have to commit ourselves day in and day out.”
National now parades a league-best 5-1 win-loss card while La Salle’s mark dropped to 3-3.
Still, Napa insists National doesn’t have a stacked lineup.
“People say our bench is deep but we are just doing our jobs. We are not too talented compared to the other teams but we have big hearts.”
Apart from Enriquez and Clemente’s precious contribution, National also drew premium performances from Omar John, who banged in 15 points and hauled 12 rebounds.
Quiambao and Philips drilled in 15 points apiece.
In the second game, Kai Balungay scored a career-high 21 points to lift Ateneo de Manila University past Adamson University, 76-55.
Balungay shot eight-of-ten from the field and added four rebounds and two assists as the Blue Eagles boost their record to 4-2.
Jerom Lastimosa had 18 points for the Soaring Falcons, who sank to 2-4.
The Scores:
First game:
NU (80) – Enriquez 16, Clemente 16,John 15, Figueroa 12, Malonzo 6, Baclaan 5, Yu 4, Galinato 2, Manansala 2, Mahinay 2, Minerva 0, Palacielo 0, Tualbut 0, Tibayan 0, Padrones 0.
LA SALLE (76) – Quiambao 15, M. Phillips 15, Nelle 14, Winston 12, Abadam 7, Nwankwo 4, Manuel 3, Estacio 3, Cortez 2, B. Phillips 1, Escandor 0.
QUARTERS: 23-17, 40-41, 61-63, 80-76.
Second game:
ATENEO (76) – Ballungay 21, Ildefonso 15, Gomez 8, Chiu 7, Padrigao 5, Lazaro 5, Kouame 4, Andrade 4, Garcia 3, Koon 2, Ong 2, Daves 0, Lao 0, Quitevis 0, Fornillos 0, Fetalvero 0.
ADAMSON (55) – Lastimosa 18, Douanga 8, Torres 6, Manzano 5, Flowers 4, Jaymalin 3, Fuentebella 3, Yerro 2, Barcelona 2, Barasi Jr. 2, W. Magbuhos 2, Colonia 0, V. Magbuhos 0.
QUARTERS: 22-16, 41-32, 61-47, 76-55.