Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 2) – The National University Bulldogs picked up the pieces in the late game to prevail against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 73-68, in UAAP Season 84 on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Michael Malonzo, who finished with 15 points and seven rebounds, gave the Bulldogs the lead at 68-66 after converting his two free-throw shots with over a minute remaining in the match.
Malonzo earned the trip to the charity stripe after Tamaraws big man Emmanuel Ojuola was assessed with a loose ball foul off a rebound play from the missed free-throw of John Figueroa, who nailed his first try to tie the game.
FEU failed to get a good shot in the next sequence as NU earned a huge offensive stop when Malonzo completed an and-one play off a Figueroa miss to hold a two-possession lead, 71-66.
It was a tough loss for the Tamaraws as they fell to their third straight loss since winning their opening game and star guard RJ Abarrientos notching his career-high 33 points.
Abarrientos exploded with a scintillating performance after he drained eight three-pointers in the contest, where his team led during the first three quarters.
The late game balanced attack of NU limited their opponents to just 10 points in the payoff period and rose from a 12-point deficit in the first half.
Aside from Malonzo, John Lloyd Clemente was also instrumental in the NU rally with his team high 18 points and nine rebounds. Shaun Ildefonso added 13 markers to help improve their record to 2-2.
NU seeks to achieve their first winning streak in UAAP Season 84 on Tuesday against defending champions Ateneo at 7 p.m., while FEU looks to snap their skid against UE on the same day at 4 p.m.
The Scores:
NU 73 – Clemente 18, Malonzo 14, Ildefonso 13, Minerva 9, Felicilda 7, Figueroa 5, Joson 4, Galinato 2, Tibayan 1, Gaye 0, Enriquez 0, Yu 0, Torres 0, Manansala 0, Mahinay 0
FEU 68 – Abarrientos 33, Alforque 13, Gonzales 9, Bienes 4, Tempra 4, Ojuola 3, Sajonia 2, Torres 0, Coquia 0, Sleat 0, Li 0, Sandagon 0, Celzo 0
Quarterscores: 14-18, 32-33, 49-58, 73-68
