UP deals NU another heartbreaking loss, 80-79

The UP Fighting Maroons survived a late run from the NU Bulldogs to notch their third win, 80-79, Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With their backs against the wall, Dave Ildefonso made a shot with 17.4 seconds left to inch closer against the Maroons, 78-76.

A foul made by Enzo Joson brought Bright Akhuetie to the line to give UP a comfortable lead, 80-76, with 16.1 ticks left.

The younger Ildefonso then made a basket from downtown to keep them in the game 80-79, 11.6 left on the clock. NU's John Lloyd Clemente tried to steal the win from the Maroons after Dave Murell failed to sink two charities, but failed to do so.

For UP head coach Bo Perasol, they still need to learn how to finish close games just like earlier. "For our part, like Kobe had said earlier to me, we need to learn how to close out games together as a team. But that's a process, it's not going to happen... We've got three close games already. I think if we are smart enough, we' re wise enough, we have to learn how to close it out. The fact of that is I know we can. There were just lapses but we're going to learn from that," Perasol said.

Perasol also said going against a team like NU was tough, saying the Bulldogs are "better than their 0-4 slate."

"The difficult part of trying to rev up your team when you go up against a 0-3 team is them thinking that they can just go past that particular team. NU is a lot, lot better than their 0-4 slate," said the UP head coach.

UP coach Bo Perasol says they need to learn how to close out games as a team. @gmanews_sports @gmanews pic.twitter.com/QxOeVETkIi

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) September 18, 2019

Kobe Paras topped the Diliman-based squad in scoring with 25 points while Bright Akhuetie delivered another double-double with 19 points and 12 boards.

"I'm just grateful that we got the chance to finish the game like this. Just like what coach said, we just need to learn how to close games," UP's prized recruit said.

Kobe Paras shares his thoughts after the win over NU @gmanews_sports @gmanews pic.twitter.com/kJYxc2D3AZ

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) September 18, 2019

While UP notched their third win this season, this is NU's fourth heartbreaking loss, as three of their past four games, including this, were also decided by a single point.

Dave Ildefonso led the Bulldogs with 23, while Issa Gaye and Shaun Ildefonso listed 13 points.

UP now has a 3-1 win-loss record while NU went 0-4.

The Fighting Maroons will face the UE Red Warriors next.

Asked about his thoughts on their upcoming game, Perasol said, "We need to go out strong against UE who is on cloud 9 right now. That's a very dangerous team. We have to find a way how to defend them, most especially their main scorers. But for ourselves, we just have to keep improving, keep playing with each other, keep playing through each other."

Box scores:

UP 80 -- Paras 25, Akhuetie 19, Ja. Gomez de Liano 17, Tungcab 6, Manzo 4, Rivero 4, Longa 3, Murrell 2, Ju. Gomez de Liano 0, Gozum 0, Jaboneta 0, Prado 0, Spencer 0.

NU 79 -- D. Ildefonso 25, Gaye 13, S. Ildefonso 13, Gallego 9, Joson 8, Minerva 7, Clemente 2, Mosqueda 2, Diputado 0, Galinato 0, Malonzo 0, Oczon 0, Tibayan 0, Yu 0.

Quarterscores: 18-23, 44-36, 67-59, 80-79.

— LA/RSJ, GMA News