Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 28) – The National University Bulldogs improved their Final Four spot chances after thrashing the still winless University of the East Red Warriors, 100-81, in UAAP Season 84 on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulldogs are now in fifth place with a 6-7 record. They still have a chance to grab the fourth Final Four seat, which is also being contested by the Far Eastern University Tamaraws and the Adamson University Falcons.
Enzo Joson spearheaded the balanced NU attack with 15 points while Shaun Ildefonso and Germy Mahinay were the other double-digit scorers with 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
UE kept the game close in the first quarter, but the Bulldogs unleashed a barrage of 31 points in the second quarter to tally a 52-36 halftime advantage.
The second half was a display of the Bulldogs’ shooting dominance, hitting 55% of their field goals.
The Jeff Napa-mentored NU squad tallied their biggest lead at 22 points in the final period.
Harvey Pagsanjan led five Red Warriors who scored in double figures, with his production of 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Clint Escamis and Leon Lorenzana notched 15 and 14 points, respectively, as UE dropped to 0-13.
NU will have a crucial matchup in their last eliminations game against De La Salle University on Saturday at 4:30 p.m., while UE hopes to close out their Season 84 campaign with a victory against Adamson University at 10 a.m.
The Scores:
NU 100 – Joson 15, Ildefonso 12, Mahinay 11, Manansala 9, Figueroa 9, Enriquez 8, Malonzo 6, Clemente 6, Flores 5, Torres 5, Felicilda 4, Galinato 4, Yu 4, Tibayan 2, Gaye 0.
UE 81 – Pagsanjan 16, Escamis 15, Lorenzana 14, J. Cruz 11, N. Paranada 10, K. Paranada 7, Guevarra 3, Sawat 2, Pascual 2, Beltran 1, Antiporda 0, Villanueva 0, Tulabut 0, Abatayo 0.
Quarterscores: 21-20, 52-36, 77-58, 100-81.
