NU twice-to-beat in final four

MANILA, Philippines — National U bucked a slow start to fend off winless University of the East, 83-74, and secure a twice-to-beat edge in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs were caught napping and faced an 18-point deficit but regrouped in time for their fifth consecutive win to rise to 11-2 in a full turnaround from a dismal 5-9 record last year.

NU, regardless of its final match against Santo Tomas as well as the fates of reigning champion UP (8-3) and runner-up La Salle (6-4), has secured a Top 2 finish and a win-once bonus in the Final Four.

But head coach Jeff Napa didn’t like the compliance, at least in the first half, shown by his wards, especially if they wish to go deeper in the playoffs for a chance to snap a decade-long finals drought.

“Akala siguro nila, hindi na maglalaro ‘yung UE. UE played their way pero kami relaxed masyado so simple lang sinabi ko sa kanila kung ito ba ‘yung level na gusto nilang i-perform papasok ng playoffs,” said Napa.

“Sabi ko kung matalo kayo dito, kalimutan niyo na ‘yung pangarap nyo (sa finals). In-underestimate nila ‘yung UE. They took UE lightly. ‘Yun ang challenge sa second half, when we turned things around.”

The Bulldogs did, flipping the switch in the last two quarters to erase a 53-35 deficit early in the third quarter behind the timely eruption of Jolo Manansala, who scored 21 points.

Later, Santo Tomas (7-5) scored a 67-59 repeat win over Ateneo (5-6) to firm up grip on the coveted fourth seed behind Collins Akowe’s 15 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks.

Nic Cabañero (14) and Gelo Crisostomo (10) chipped in help for the Tigers, who escaped with a 98-89 win in the first round via triple overtime.