National University (NU) made their third straight win in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament by beating University of the Philippines, 68-52, Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Gelo Alolino led the Bulldogs with 16 points, 12 of which he made in the second quarter of the match when he fired four consecutive triples.

NU’s coach Eric Altamirano said that their strategy to clamp down on the Maroon shooters paid off.

“We knew this was going to be a defensive game,” Altamirano said.  “So we were consistent on our defense. Gelo’s three-point shots especially during the second quarter gave us the confidence. We tried to capitalize on UP’s mistakes.”

IN PHOTOS: NU defense stops UP for third straight UAAP 78 win

The Maroons missed crucial shots during the third and fourth quarters. It also did not help that their coaching staff, particularly assistant coach Allan Gregorio and head coach Rensy Bajar, disagreed certain calls made by referees and both were unnerved with displeasure.  In the fourth quarter, Gregorio and Bajay were seperately slapped with technical fouls for continuous complaining uttering profane language.

Alolino maintained that their win versus UP does not mean that they will take it easy from this point. “We’re still climbing,” he said.

Altamiranoexpressed concern about the long break before their next  game against the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on October 7. He emphasized, “We’re just getting our timing. We should not be rusty.”

UP’s top scorer for this game was Jett Manuel with 16 points.

IN PHOTOS: NU defense stops UP for third straight UAAP 78 win