Bulldogs buck surging Warriors for semis

Game today (MOA Arena)

4 p.m. – FEU vs DLSU (playoff for No. 2)

MANILA, Philippines - National U pulled the plug on the life support of University of the East, nosing out the never-say-die Red Warriors, 51-49, for the last seat in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball Final Four yesterday before a good-sized crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Keeping their poise in a midst of a searing fourth-quarter fightback by the resilient Warriors, the Bulldogs came up with one big inbounds play that resulted in the game-winning charities by Alfred Aroga then watched UE’s Bong Galanza miss a triple to secure their entry into the semis.

The No. 4 Bulldogs, who are now in their third straight semis appearance, set a duel with top-seeded Ateneo, needing to beat the Eagles twice to reach the championship series.

NU’s win put an end to the semis-chasing efforts of UE, which painstakingly hurdled its last five games just to get to this playoff.

“I have to give it to UE. If only it’s possible to send both teams to the Final Four, they also deserve to be there. They gave their hearts out and it’s hard to win five straight games coming into this game,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano.

“This game really came down to who wanted it more, who had the heart. I’m very proud of my boys, they showed character tonight, they didn’t really give up. UE made a big comeback in the end and we just kept reminding them to keep their composure and true enough, we got it done,” added Altamirano.

The Bulldogs had a seven-point lead going to the last 3:16 but the Warriors, behind Roi Sumang, charged back and forced a standoff at 49.

Then Aroga extricated from defender Charles Mammie to receive the baseline inbounds pass from Pao Javelona. He launched a shot and got fouled by Mammie. With pressure mounting, Aroga made both to give NU a two-point cushion with 12.4 seconds left.

“That was really the biggest play of our season. The whole game, we’re having a hard time getting open in the inbounds play but it’s a good thing Pao was able to see Alfred under the basket and for Alfred to make those free throws, those were big for us,” said Altamirano.

In UE’s final offensive, Altamirano tasked Rev Diputado and Glen Khobuntin to double on Sumang and force him to let his teammates go for it. Paul Varilla sent the leather to Galanza who shook off his defender then fired an open trey that missed its mark.

“We know coming to the timeout they’re going to go to Sumang who is going to attack and make those one-on-one moves so we just tried to

double him and force him to give up the ball,” said Altamirano.

Khobuntin led NU in scoring with 12 and got support from Troy Rosario (9) and Gelo Alolino and Aroga (7 apiece).

Sumang finished with 19 for UE, whose downfall was hastened by their eight misses from the stripe in the fourth.

“I think we had a good run but we just fell short,” said UE coach Derrick Pumaren. “Bong had that open look on last shot but maybe it just wasn’t meant to be for us this season.”

Pumaren came on board just a couple of months before the tourney and his wards got fully accustomed to his system only in the second round, where they went 6-1.

“It was a great journey especially at end. Inspite and despite of the things that happened, the team managed to stay together, we were able to make that run where we almost made it to the next round,” he said.