UAAP: NU keeps Final Four bid alive after trouncing UE

NU’s Enzo Joson. UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–National University continued its panic rush into the closing doors of the Final Four as it bumped off University of the East, 100-81, Thursday and scored its second straight win in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball at Mall of Asia Arena.

Enzo Joson scored 15 points, while Shaun Ildefonso added 12 points for NU.

After upping their record to 6-7, the Bulldogs managed to crowd the middle rungs in a hope to salvage No. 4 spot despite opening the second round with four consecutive defeats. The Warriors slumped to 13th defeat in as many games.

But NU’s fate still hangs in the balance, depending on how Far Eastern University, Adamson and La Salle do in their remaining games. The Bulldogs will face the Archers for their last assignment on Sunday.

The Scores

NU 100 – Joson 15, Ildefonso 12, Mahinay 11, Manansala 9, Figueroa 9, Enriquez 8, Malonzo 6, Clemente 6, Flores 5, Torres 5, Galinato 4, Felicilda 4, Yu 4, Tibayan 2, Gaye 0.

UE 81 – Pagsanjan 16, Escamis 15, Lorenzana 14, Cruz 11, N. Paranada 10, K. Paranada 7, Guevarra 3, Sawat 2, Pascual 2, Beltran 1, Antiporda 0, Villanueva 0, Tulabut 0, Abatayo 0.

Quarters: 21-20, 52-36, 77-58, 100-81.