NU secures playoff for semis berth, faces La Salle in crucial tiff
NU head coach Eric Altamirano wasn’t entirely pleased despite the win with the Bulldogs committing 22 turnovers. MARK GIONGCO
MANILA, Philippines — National University inched closer to a Final Four berth following a 75-64 win over University of Santo Tomas Wednesday in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Bulldogs, who assured itself of at least a playoff for a semifinals slot, had five players in double-digit scoring with Gelo Alolino leading the way with 14 points.
“It’s a sloppy game for us but a win is a win,” said NU head coach Eric Altamirano. “It’s a good thing that we were able to regroup.”
“We started slow and very lethargic. But overall, we committed a lot of turnovers. Our defense covered up our play at the offensive end,” added Altamirano, whose squad limited UST to just 35% shooting from the field.
With University of the East beating De La Salle, 68-66, earlier, the Green Archers and the Bulldogs go into an all-important tiff on Saturday. The winner clinches a semis slot with a chance for a twice-to-beat advantage while the loser could face the surging Red Warriors in a playoff for the last Final Four spot.
“We will treat that game against La Salle just like a regular game,” said Altamirano, not wanting to add more pressure to his players as they brace for a crucial clash with the Green Archers.
NU and La Salle are currently tied with similar 9-4 slates just a game behind league-leaders Ateneo and Far Eastern University.
Cameroonian center Karim Abdul collected 15 points, nine rebounds, five steals and five blocks for the also-ran Growling Tigers, who dropped to 5-8 despite taking a 10-point lead in the first half.
Reden Celda added 13, Glenn Khobuntin had 12 while Paolo Javelona and Troy Rosario scored 11 and 10 points, respectively for the Bulldogs, who won despite committing 22 turnovers as compared to the Tigers’ 11.
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