Altamirano rues NU’s late-game collapse in loss to Adamson

JJay Alejandro and Coach Eric Altamirano of the NU Bulldogs. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

National University head coach Eric Altamirano lamented his team’s lack of maturity in its collapse to Adamson Wednesday in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.

Altamirano said his team’s crucial turnovers in the final minutes of the fourth quarter turned a close game into a one-sided affair.

“We committed a lot of turnovers and then it translated to free throws,” said Altamirano whose team slipped to 2-2 following their 64-51 loss to the Falcons.

READ: Adamson tames NU, claims solo 2nd in UAAP

Jay-J Alejandro turned the ball over three times in the final two minutes of the game leading to Sean Manganti giving the Falcons a 59-51 lead with 45.5 seconds left in the game.

Adamson made 13-of-20 free throws and outscored NU 22-11 in the fourth.

Altamirano hopes they can learn from their mistake moving forward with 10 games left in the elimination round of the tournament.

“Parang lumabas yung pagkabata namin, so we have to learn from these types of games,” said Altamirano. “Hopefully at the end of the season, magagamit namin ang mga ganitong games.