Bulldogs fend off Ateneo in gritty UAAP showdown

Paul Francisco came alive in overtime, drilling back-to-back triples to lift the NU Bulldogs past Ateneo. UAAP PHOTO
Paul Francisco came alive in overtime, drilling back-to-back triples to lift the NU Bulldogs past Ateneo. UAAP PHOTO

MANILA – Just when the National University Bulldogs needed a hero, Paul Francisco rose from a quiet regulation to an explosive overtime, drilling two clutch triples that carried NU past the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 71–66, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.

Francisco, who had only three points in regulation, erupted for 10 in the extra period to secure NU’s sixth win in seven outings and sole leadership in the standings.

“My coaches and teammates just kept telling me to shoot the ball. I was kind of struggling throughout the course of the game. I credit my teammates and coaches on believing in me to keep shooting it and it paid off in overtime,” said Francisco, who finished with 13 points.

Jake Figueroa nearly notched a triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Steve Nash Enriquez and Omar John added 12 and 11 points, respectively, as the Bulldogs tightened their grip on the top spot.

“Good win for us pero wala naman kaming pakialam kung nasaan kami ngayon. Ang importante kasi sa amin ay how we perform every game talaga. Hindi namin iniisip kung ano man ‘yung [standing namin], ang importante ‘yung growth ng players talaga,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa.

Ateneo’s Jaden Lazo topscored with 17 points, Shawn Tuano had 15, and Dom Escobar came close to a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and five steals, but the Blue Eagles could not sustain their late regulation rally and dropped to 4–3.

Meanwhile, in the earlier game, the Adamson Falcons snapped their slump with a defensive masterclass, downing the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 69–59.

AJ Fransman paced Adamson with 18 points, backed by Cedrick Manzano’s 12 points and eight boards, and Ray Allen Torres’ 10 markers, as the Falcons improved to 3–4.

Nicael Cabañero carried UST with 23 points, while Collins Akowe recorded a 10-point, 16-rebound double-double in the Tigers’ second straight defeat, dropping them to 5–2./PN

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