UAAP: Eric Altamirano hails NU's composure in face of Ateneo comeback

 

National University survived a late Ateneo onslaught in the fourth quarter to win 78-74 on Wednesday and force a knockout match for a spot in the finals of the UAAP men's basketball tournament.

 

The match seemed to be a repeat of their first two encounters in the elimination round, with the Eagles trailing and playing catch up most of the game. This time, however, Ateneo was able to wrestle the lead way with 1:14 left after holding NU scoreless for seven minutes.

 

Fortunately for the Bulldogs, Gelo Alolino, J-jay Alejandro, and Henri Betayene made the crucial endgame free throws that pushed their team back on top to force the decider.

 

"The breaks didn't go our way in the fourth quarter," NU coach Eric Altamirano said in the post-game press conference.

 

"But they held up, they stayed focused, they kept their composure," the coach said of his players.

 

The Bulldogs are aiming to enter the finals after last year's ouster they suffered from the hands of University of Santo Tomas, but kept their 'one game at a time' mindset.

 

"We're not even looking beyond this game," said Altamirano. — JST, GMA News