“Good win for us. We’re hoping we could translate this against UE on Thursday. Our mindset is one game at a time,” said NU Bulldogs coach Jeff Napa. 

“Our focus is one game at a time so we will move forward and prepare for Thursday’s game,” he added.

The Bulldogs snapped its four-game skid and revived its hope but at the expense of the Growling Tigers.

NU opened the game strong as they ended the first quarter with a five points advantage, 17-12.

NU was able to cap the second and third frame with a big gap of 12 points and 19 points, respectively but coach Napa averred that he told his guys to not be complacent.

“Pag malaki na ang lamang, may tendency na mag-relax. So sinabihan ko yung mga nag-relax na kung gusto na nilang umuwi, umuwi na sila. Kaya nagpalit agad ako ng tao and luckily, makakapal ang mukha nitong mga ito at nag-step up.”

Reyland Torres commandeered the team, scoring 18 points followed by the twin digits of Janjan Felicilda and Michael Malonzo’s double-double of 11 points to end the game at a 73-60 lead.

After such a feat of NU, UST closed its Season 84 bid with a rookie player to look for as Nic Cabanero scored high for the Growling Tigers with his 13 points, 15 rebounds, and three assists.

The Scores: 

NU 73 – Torres 18, Felicilda 12, Malonzo 11, Enriquez 9, Clemente 9, Joson 6, Gaye 4, Figueroa 2, Minerva 2, Yu 0, Ildefonso 0, Mahinay 0, Galinato 0, Manansala 0, Tibayan 0, Flores 0. 

UST 60 – Cabanero 13, Fontanilla 12, Manalang 11, Ando 7, Canoy 7, Concepcion 4, Santos 3, Manaytay 3, Pangilinan 0, Gesalem 0, Herrera 0, Garing 0. 

Quarters: 17-12, 36-24, 54-35, 73-60.