Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The UE Red Warriors completed an elimination round sweep of defending champions the NU Bulldogs with a 52-47 scalp in their second round clash in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) on Saturday (October 10) at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Red Warrior Chris Javier was crucial to his side, swishing in 16 markers.
The Bulldogs were looking to avenge their loss against the Red Warriors in the first round, and it showed right after the opening tip. With both teams shooting poorly, it was the defending champions who showed the resilience to grind out a 28-21 advantage at the half.
But after the break, UE came out swinging.
The Red Warriors went on a tear in the third period, outscoring the champions 16-8 and finally taking the lead through an Emil Palma bucket with 1:53 left in the quarter to make it 37-34.
With time running out on them,Bulldogs big man Alfred Aroga had the chance to put his team within touching distance, but failed to find the bottom of the net from close range with the scores at 49-45 with 7.6 seconds left on the clock.
The Red Warriors would hold on for the 52-47 scalp.
Aroga paced the Bulldogs with 11 points and nine boards.
