Bulldogs wallop Blue Eagles

MANILA, Philippines —  National University poured its wrath on the free-falling Ateneo, 66-50, to keep pole position in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The Bulldogs unleashed a telling 25-4 rally in the second half to seize command en route to claiming a seventh win in nine outings on a bounceback effort from a close 78-74 defeat to title holder University of the Philippines the last time out.

“Nag-respond sila doon sa nangyari sa amin against UP. Credit sa team ko, hindi na sa akin ‘yun, sila na yan eh. Sila na ‘yung gumawa ng paraan,” said NU mentor Jeff Napa.

Skipper Jake Figueroa scored 17 points, including 11 in that game-changing run, on top of his game-high 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block to beef up his MVP campaign after finishing fifth in the statistical race in the first round.

Later, Francis Nnoruka uncorked 19 points as UP (6-3) gained solo second with an 89-75 win over FEU (3-6).

Gani Stevens (14), Rey Remogat (12) and Terrence Fortea (10) were also instrumental for the Fighting Maroons, slowly but surely climbing up with six wins in seven games after a 0-2 start.