MANILA – Jake Figueroa made up for a crucial turnover with timely baskets as the National University Bulldogs pulled off a 65-61 victory over the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament over the weekend at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
After an inbound violation that led to a basket by Sean Quitevis and a 61-60 lead for the Blue Eagles with 20 seconds left, Figueroa made up for it with a three-pointer to regain a 63-61 upperhand for the Bulldogs.
Following missed baskets from the Blue Eagles’ Kai Ballungay and Jared Brown, Figueroa secured the victory for the Bulldogs with two free throws with 3.4 seconds remaining in the game.
Figueroa, a third-year forward out of Pampanga who was the Season 82 Boys’ Basketball MVP, finished the game with 18 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and one assist.
“Good thing napunta sa amin ‘yung favor nung last few minutes,” said Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa. “Jake made the crucial big shots, then made the free throws, kaya kami napunta sa ganitong sitwasyon.”
Rookie Reinhard Jumamoy dropped a career-high 21 points — behind 8-of-10 shooting from the field — with three assists and two rebounds to lead the way for the Bulldogs, which moved up to 8-2 win-loss slate.
“Hard fought win for us kasi second round na, everybody steps up, all teams step up,” he added. “Last time, nung nandito ako, sabi ko sa inyo, ‘yung lack of effort, eh. We really emphasized ‘yung effort na word dun sa conversation namin ng team.”
Joseph Obasa finished with 11 points and nine rebounds, while Ballungay contributed 10 markers and five boards as the defending champion Ateneo dropped to fifth with a 4-6 record.
Meanwhile, Adamson University Falcons notched its second consecutive victory as they defeated University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 61-53, for solo fourth place with a 5-5 record.
Joshua Yerro led the Falcons with 11 points, four assists, and three rebounds while Joem Sabandal and Matthew Montebon finished with nine and eight points, respectively./PN
