Martin San Diego | FCF
National University banked on pivotal outside shots from shooter Dennice Villamor and excellent wing perimeter defense from Gelo Alolino and Maurice Porter to repulse defending champions Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 70-65, in UAAP men’s basketball action on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The win, their last for the elimination round, assures the Bulldogs for at least a twice-to-beat advantage currently being shared with Far Eastern University, who routed the still winless University of the Philippines, 87-69, in the first game.
“We’re very humbled with this victory,” said NU head coach Eric Altamirano after the game. “Bihira ang ganitong opportunity na magkaroon ng shot sa twice-to-beat.”
The Bulldogs had never experienced a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four era, with the Sampaloc-based squad last tasting the title in 1954.
Being on top of the game by as much as nine points in the first three quarters with a breakout offensive game from Bobby Ray Parks, the Blue Eagles gradually crept back off a 6-0 run starting with a JP Erram jumper in the 7:19 mark of the fourth quarter, and capped off by another Erram jumper at the 5:57 mark to lead, 53-52.
Villamor then converted two 18-foot jumpers midway in the quarter while Jean Mbe swished four free throws to regain the lead at 62-57 for the NU.
Ateneo forward Chris Newsome then scored on an and-one drive and sank five free throws to cut the Bulldogs’ lead to two, 63-65, in the last 37 seconds.
In the ensuing play, Parks posed for an isolation attack against Newsome and caught Ateneo’s wing defense napping, as he passed the ball for a wide open Villamor, who sank a three-pointer from the left side for a 68-63 lead.
“It was an isolation (play), it was strange. Dennice was open and I trusted him to get the shot in because he’s one of our best shooters,” Parks commented on said play.
“It’s about trusting your teammates, put all egos aside and make them feel that I trust them,” he remarked.
Ateneo could have tied the game at the buzzer with a jumpball error from Alolino, but he bounced back from his error by playing tight defense on Juami Tiongson, who missed a three-pointer from the top of the arc.
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The Bulldogs (10-4) were led by Parks with 24 points and seven rebounds while Villamor had nine points, seven of which came in the last five minutes. Jean Mbe had a huge second half as he finished the game with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
The Blue Eagles (7-6), who were stripped of a twice-to-beat advantage, were led by Newsome with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Erstwhile leading scorer Kiefer Ravena, was limited Alolino and Porter to only three points.
To save themselves from elimination, they have to win against the UST in their final elimination game.
Martin San Diego | FCF
In the first game, Terrence Romeo scored his second 30-point game in a row with a season-high 33 as the Tamaraws (10-4) dealt the Fighting Maroons its 13th defeat for the season.
FEU is currently tied with the Bulldogs for number one while the Maroons, led by Raul Soyud with 14 points and 18 rebounds, are on the brink of another winless season.
