Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20) — The National University (NU) Bulldogs fought off the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 94-84, at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 at the Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday.
Issa Gaye led NU with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Dave Yu, Jayjay Alejandro, and Manuel Mosqueda all chipped in with double-digit scoring.
Buoyed by a strong first half showing from Regie Basibas, who scored 15 points in only 6:83 minutes of action, the Growling Tigers were trailing the Bulldogs by only 51-50 at the halftime break.
NU started the second half with a flurry, going on a 9-2 rally to give themselves a 60-52 cushion midway through the third frame.
The España-based squad battled back to even the scores at 65-all at the 2:32 mark of the third quarter before grabbing the advantage, 73-70, going into the payoff period.
With both sides jostling for the lead, the Bulldogs finally broke through, leading 87-80 midway through the final quarter.
Jordan Sta. Ana got UST as close as 87-84 with two minutes left to play, but Dave Yu drained a triple that gave NU an insurmountable 90-84 advantage.
The victory means the Bulldogs improved their win-loss slate to 2-1, while UST remains winless at 0-3.
Basibas paced UST in the losing effort with 23 markers.
UST will return to the hardcourt on Saturday to face host school FEU, while NU will see action on Sunday against Adamson.
