MANILA – Jolo Manansala anchored National University Bulldogs’ fightback to score a 67-62 victory over the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball on Wednesday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Down 41-53 late in the third quarter, Manansala and Jake Figueroa knocked down two straight three-pointers as the Bulldogs cut the deficit to 47-53 before the Growling Tigers’ Mo Tounkara ended the quarter with a dunk.
The Bulldogs continued their run to start the fourth quarter behind Manansala, Teboi Garcia, and PJ Palacielo to take a 59-58 lead before preserving the comeback win with free throws from Figueroa and Gelo Santiago.
Manansala led the Bulldogs with 18 points, including four three-point conversions, while Palacielo and Figueroa added 15 and 13 markers, respectively, as they improved to a 4-8 win-loss slate.
Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa said in a post-game interview that their comeback win against the Growling Tigers is proof that his team is peaking at the right time despite the absence of foreign student athlete Mo Diassana.
“Dun sa mga hindi naniniwala na tinalo namin ‘yung UP (University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons), ito ‘yung kasunod kaya hindi tsamba ‘yung panalo namin sa UP, hindi malas ‘yung UP, naglaro kami ng tama,” Napa said.
Nicael Cabañero finished with 19 points to lead the way for the Growling Tigers, while Tounkara added a double-double of 15 points and 18 rebounds as they dropped to a 5-7 win-loss card.
Meanwhile, Michael Phillips took charge offensively and defensively in the fourth quarter as De La Salle University Green Archers prevailed over Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 58-53.
Down 42-47 midway through the fourth quarter, Phillips split his free throw and made an inside basket while Joshua David knocked down a three-pointer as the Green Archers seized a 48-47 lead.
The Tamaraws took the lead for the last time at 49-48 on a reverse layup by Janrey Pasaol before Phillips responded with consecutive inside baskets to give the Green Archers a comfortable 56-51 lead with under a minute left.
Phillips was the lone double-digit scorer for the Green Archers with 17 points to go with 15 rebounds, five steals, two blocks, and two assists as they remained on top with an 11-1 win-loss slate./PN
