UAAP: NU bounces back, hands UST third straight loss

National University bounced back with a 75-71 victory over the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs improved to 7-3 following the win, which came after their loss to Ateneo de Manila University last Wednesday. UST, meanwhile, absorbed its third consecutive defeat to fall to 4-6.

Both teams were tied at 57-all at the end of the third quarter before UST opened the final period with a triple from Andrew Chio and a basket by Kris Porter. However, Mo Diassana sparked a 10-0 run for NU, giving the Bulldogs a 67-62 lead with less than five minutes remaining.

Collins Akowe halted NU’s run with a pair of free throws, but baskets from Reinhard Jumamoy and PJ Palacielo extended the Bulldogs’ lead to 71-64.

The Growling Tigers responded with a 7-2 run to cut the deficit to 73-71 with seven seconds remaining. However, Palacielo sank two free throws after drawing fouls from Koji Buenaflor and Andrew Chio to seal the victory for NU.

Foreign student-athlete Diassana led the Bulldogs with 16 points and 19 rebounds, while Palacielo added 14 points and six boards. Kenshin Padrones contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Tebol Garcia chipped in 12 points.

For UST, Amiel Acido tallied 13 rebounds, five points, two assists, and one steal, while Mark Llemit finished with 12 points.

—JKC, GMA News