MANILA, Philippines — National U unleashed a torrid finishing kick to clobber also-ran University of the East, 91-74, and book a Final Four ticket in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Bulldogs staged a 23-8 closeout to run away from a precarious two-point lead for a 9-3 card that pushed them to the semifinals for the second straight season with two games to spare.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern U kept its mastery of Final Four-bound UP, 71-68, to gain solo third at 7-5 and derail the bid of the Fighting Maroons (9-3) to secure an outright twice-to-beat bonus.
The Tamaraws, who also preaviled in their first-round encounter, 90-79, ended the Fighting Maroons’ seven-game winning spree.
Despite the 17-point win, NU coach Jeff Napa is far from satisfied, ruing how the Bulldogs allowed the Red Warriors - who had won only once in three seasons - to ride on their coattails until the homestretch.
“Hindi namin deserve itong panalo na ito eh kasi we played terribly talaga nung first three quarters. Hats off sa UE. We don’t deserve this win talaga. Coming into the crucial stretch itong patapos ng elimination going into the Final Four, hindi kami puwedeng ganito maglaro,” Napa said.