NU survives UP
Games Wednesday Smart Araneta Coliseum 11 a.m. - UST vs Adamson 4 p.m. - UP vs La Salle
Needing to win every game in order to keep its title defense alive, National University turned to veteran guard Gelo Alolino to deliver the goods - he did just that and so much more.
Alolino had a career game and drained the all-important baskets in the end game as the Bulldogs survived the gritty University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons 75-69 in the UAAP basketball tournament yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 5'10 guard finished with a career-best 26 points spiked with 10 rebounds and three assists to tow the Bulldogs to their sixth win in 13 games and keep within striking distance of fourth seed La Salle which currently totes a 5-6 record.
The Green Archers are currently playing the Ateneo Blue Eagles in a rivalry match at presstime.
With the Fighting Maroons just within three, 63-60, with 2:41 following a Henry Asilum floater, Alolino took over the match as he scored 10 straight points in a span of 72 seconds to secure the victory for the Bulldogs
His last three-pointer turned out to be the backbreaker for the Bulldogs as he gave his squad a 73-62 cushion with 29 seconds left in the ball game to put the game out of reach and officially axe the season hosts from contention in the final four.
"I was very happy with how we played today. The key sa amin is our defense, especially nung fourth quarter. You have to give it to UP, they're a hard nut to crack and we were really tested in this game. Good thing we stepped up in the second half," said NU coach Eric Altamirano.
"There's so many things that we want him (Alolino) to do for us e. talagang yung responsibility niya napakalaki. Imagine, he's our point guard yet he's the one scoring, I know it's a big responsibility but he's living up to it," he added.
Alfred Aroga came off the bench for the Bulldogs and created immediate impact as he finished with 15 points, 17 rebounds and two blocks.
In total, the Bulldogs outscored the Maroons in bench scoring 38-17 with Reden Celda, Salim Mohammed and JJ Alejandro all producing solid minutes off the bench, combining for 17.
Jett Manuel and Diego Dario led the Fighting Maroons with 13 points apiece to no avail as they faced elimination anew despite a promising start. The Fighting Maroons have now dropped nine of their last 10 games. Scores: NU 75 - Alolino 26, Aroga 15, Celda 7, Neypes 7, Salim 6, Alejandro 4, Javillonar 3, Yu 3, Javelona 2, Morido 2, Abatayo 0, Diputado 0
UP 69 - Manuel 13, Dario 13, Desiderio 10, Amar 9, Kone 6, Asilum 4, Gallarza 4, Moralde 4, Harris 2, Lim 2, Longa 2, Jaboneta 0, Juruena 0, Webb 0
Quarters: 13-18; 28-31; 52-42; 75-69