By MARK REY MONTEJO
National University displayed iron will down the stretch and carved out a 66-65 come-from-behind win over Adamson to punch the first Final Four ticket in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila Saturday, Nov. 8.
Trailing by eight, 40-48, entering the final quarter, Jake Figueroa, as expected, took charge and orchestrated the Bulldogs’ flurry of baskets, highlighted by an assist to Mark Parks, who completed a 3-point play with 10.9 seconds left.
The Falcons suffered a costly turnover in the next possession but stayed alive as Steve Nash Enriquez missed both his pressure-packed free throws. Moments later, Matt Montebon launched a desperate hail-mary attempt that nearly dropped with just 1.3 seconds remaining.
Those failed attempts led to NU maintaining its position atop of the standings with a 9-2 card, while Adamson dropped to a 5-6 tally in sixth spot.
It was also a similar outcome in the first round where the Bulldogs overcame an 11-point deficit, 41-52, midway of the fourth frame, before it hacked out a 56-54 escape over the Falcons last Oct. 8, at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
NU’s third straight triumph solidified its place with reigning champion University of the Philippines (8-3) and De La Salle University (6-4) staying within the striking distance.
Figueroa shone again with 13 points, four rebounds, six assists, and two steals, while late-game hero Parks tallied 10 points on top of three rebounds, one assist, and two steals.
Reinhard Jumamoy, who sank clutch triples prior, added eight points on 2-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc, while Paul Francisco and Omar John chipped in nine and seven points, respectively.
Montebon, on the other side, led Adamson with 20 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Cedrick Manzano and Earl Anabo conspired for 23 points in a losing cause.
Ray Allen Torres suffered a bad-shooting night after listing only seven points as the Falcons absorbed their back-to-back losses.
The scores:
NU (66) – Figueroa 13, Parks 10, Francisco 9, Jumamoy 8, John 7, Manansala 5, Garcia 4, Palacielo 4, Padrones 2, Dela Cruz 2, Enriquez 2, Tulabut 0.
AdU (65) – Montebon 20, Manzano 12, Anabo 11, Torres 7, Ojarikre 5, Fransman 3, Jaymalin 3, Perez 2, Demisana 2, Erolon 0, Medina 0, Tumaneng 0, Cañete 0, A. Ronzone 0.
Quarters: 18-14, 31-30, 40-48, 66-65.
