Bulldogs repel Tigers, gain semis

Games on Wednesday (Mall of Asia Arena) 11 a.m. – UST vs UP / 1 p.m. – NU vs DLSU 3 p.m. – ADMU VS UE / 6:30 p.m. – FEU vs AdU

National U ended a seven-year Final Four drought with a 67-57 come-from-behind win over Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Skipper John Lloyd Clemente produced 19 points including the dagger triple in the last minute as the Bulldogs listed their fourth straight win and ninth overall in 12 matches to join reigning champion and pacesetting University of the Philippines in the semis.

Omar John (12) and Kean Baclaan (10) backstopped Clemente in NU’s big triumph that gave the Bulldogs a little breathing room versus Ateneo (83) in a wild race for a Top 2 finish that comes with a twice-to-beat advantage.

“We survived a gritty UST team. They played their hearts out. Good thing was we came back in the second half. We regrouped and earned this tough win,” said coach Jeff Napa. The scores: First Game Ateneo 71 – Kouame 20, Padrigao 13, Andrade 9, Ildefonso 8, Garcia 8, Ballungay 5, Koon 4, Lazaro 2, Daves 2, Chiu 0, Quitevis 0.

FEU 65 – Torres 19, Gonzales 15, Sleat 10, Tchuente 8, Anonuevo 8, Bagunu 3, Bautista 2, Alforque 0, Sajonia 0, Sandagon 0, Tempra 0. Quarterscores: 14-21, 27-41, 49-54, 71-65 Second Game NU 67 – Clemente 19, John 12, Baclaan 10, Malonzo 6, Manansala 6, Figueroa 4, Palacielo 4, Enriquez 3, Galinato 3, Yu 0, Mahinay 0, Tibayan 0, Padrones 0, Minerva 0.

UST 57 – Cabanero 20, Faye 11, Pangilinan 8, Garing 6, Calimag 5, Manaytay 4, Duremdes 3, Manalang 0. Quarterscores: 11-20, 29-36, 46-44, 67-57 Third Game ADAMSON 74 – Hanapi 13, Douanga 13, Manzano 11, Sabandal 10, Flowers 7, Torres 6, Colonia 4, Yerro 3, Manlapaz 3, Barcelona 2, Lastimosa 2, Jaymalin 0, Barasi 0, Fuentebella 0, W. Magbuhos 0.

UE 64 – Villegas 20, Stevens 14, K. Paranada 14, N. Paranada 8, Payawal 6, Sawat 2, Pagsanjan 0, Tulabut 0, Remogat 0, Antiporda 0, Guevarra 0, Gilbuena 0, Lingo-Lingo 0. Quarterscores: 15-16, 42-23, 56-41, 74-64. Fourth Game LA SALLE 82 – Quiambao 18, Nonoy 15, Austria 10, Nelle 9, M. Phillips 8, Abadam 8, B. Phillips 5, Nwankwo 5, Macalalag 4, Estacio 0, Cortez 0.

UP 80 – Lucero 15, Tamayo 14, Spencer 12, Diouf 11, Cagulangan 8, Alarcon 8, Gonzales 4, Galinato 4, Calimag 4, Abadiano 0, Ramos 0.

Quarterscores: 14-18, 35-41, 59-63, 82-80