NU Bulldogs bite Tigers’ brave stand in clutch thriller
By Anton Villegas
The NU Bulldogs survived the late comeback of the UST Growling Tigers who now fell to a two-game skid in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament, 69–63, Sunday afternoon, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
UST made a late 19–7 run in the final salvo as free throws saved the Bulldogs with John Lloyd Clemente icing the game with 7.6 seconds left.
This was after Nic Cabañero’s clutch three to make it a four paint game with 10.2 seconds to go.
Former Growling Tiger Kean Baclaan, who then transferred to NU, made a huge statement against his old team as he created 16 points, with four marks from beyond the arc.
Clemente also finished the game with 16 points and a plus/minus of +19 across his name.
Rookie guard Baclaan also helped dishing out the ball as he finished with seven dimes with an effort on defense, locking up four steals.
Adama Faye gave hope for UST on the offensive side as he gave 20 points in the game with the help of Cabanero’s consistent offense as he shared his own 16 points.
Rookie guard Baclaan drained one from downtown but Tigers’ import Faye responded with his and-one poster slam to open up the scoring board for the Growling Tigers, UST responded with their own fast paced offense with a couple of fastbreak layups from guards Cabanero and Jamba Garing, the lead was also chopped down because of rookie guard Richi Calimag’s corner three ball, 16–14.
The Bulldogs took the game on a higher gear in the second quarter as Baclaan created problems for UST as his untouchable dimes and shifty moves broke down the Tiger’s defense.
NU had a total of 12 assists for the half as they created open shots from mid range especially from the wings and corners, also limiting the Tigers to nine points in the second frame that pushed their lead to double digits , 35–23
The lead was maintained by the Bulldogs as they scored 22 in the third period with the help of three long bombs pointers courtesy of Baclaan, Clemente, and RJ Minerva. Jolo Manansala also energized their offense with a putback slam, 57–42.
The final quarter appeared as a locked up win for UST’s Sampaloc counterparts, but the Tigers roared back with a run that would give them a chance in the dying minutes of the chapter.
The UST Growling Tigers will face a big task on Wednesday, 11:00 am as they face the powerhouse Ateneo Blue Eagles in the Mall of Asia Arena.
