Bulldogs back in fiery form, pip Falcons

By MARK REY MONTEJO

National University exhibited unshakable will and completed a 56-54 escape over Adamson to get back on the winning track in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Staring at an 11-point deficit, 41-52, midway of the final canto, Jake Figueroa took charge anew and engineered a 15-2 run, including a completed three-point play t that gave the Bulldogs a 55-54 lead with 52.5 second remaining.

The 6-foot-3 Figueroa then capped his heroi by splitting his free throws which came from an unsportsmanlike foul from Manu Anabo and helped NU improve its tally to 4-1 at second behind the still unbeaten Ateneo (4-0).

Adamson, which wasted an early breakaway in the fourth quarter, sustained its third straight defeat in four games.

“Siguro ‘yong ginawa lang namin, gusto naming makabawi from last game and gusto naming mapakita ‘yong kaya naming gawin,” said Figueroa, who finished with 17 points, two rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.

“Tiwala lang talaga sa isa’t-isa, malaking tulong ‘yon sa’min. Luckily, na-convert kami ng crucial stretch,” he added.

The win redeemed the Falcons after a third-quarter collapse against reigning champion University of the Philippines, 59-66, last Saturday, Oct. 4, where they sustained their first loss this season.

Gelo Santiago likewise impressed by adding nine points, matching Jolo Manansala’s output, while Steve Nash Enriquez scored six.

Cedrick Manzano topscored for Adamson with 16 points, while Earl Medina poured in nine points. Mudiaga Ojakire and Matt Montebon chipped in eight points each in a losing cause.