Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 22) — The National University (NU) Bulldogs kept the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers hungry for their first win of the season after a 91-83 win in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 on Sunday at the Fil Oil Arena.
Issa Gaye and Matt Salem paced NU with 22 points apiece.
With NU head coach Jamike Jarin serving a one game suspension, assistant coach Danny Ildefonso was tasked with getting the job done for the Bulldogs.
Despite trailing the Growling Tigers, 43-40, going into the halftime break, the Bulldogs immediately bounced back in the third frame.
The Bulldogs outscored the España-based outfit, 29-18, in the third quarter alone, keyed by a combined 19-point outburst from Gaye and Salem.
UST were able to match NU’s production in the payoff period, but could not recover from the damage they have been dealt in the third quarter.
The Tigers would come within 86-81 with four minutes left to play, but NU would close out the game well to seal the win.
Steve Akomo paced UST with 19 markers and 12 rebounds, while Marvin Lee added 15 points of his own.
The loss saw UST become the first team eliminated from Final Four contention in Season with a 0-10 slate, while NU improves to a 4-6 record.
