INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines--Jonathan Jahnke stepped up at crunch time as National University snapped its winless run with a 69-61 stunner over the streaking Far Eastern University in the 71st UAAP men's basketball competition Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Jahnke, a 5-foot-10 senior guard, drilled six straight points in the final minute to lift the Bulldogs at 67-61 after a deadlock at 61.

"Winning and doing it consistently are two different things; we have to maintain that mindset," said coach Manny Dandan after the Bulldogs' upset win snapped the Tamaraws' four-game winning roll.

Jahnke nailed 12 of his 15 points from beyond the arc, including a clutch triple from the right elbow that pushed the Bulldogs ahead, 65-61, with 34.4 seconds remaining.

Jewel Ponferrada topscored with 16 points, seven coming in the third quarter where the Bulldogs surged to their biggest lead at 50-40.

"In the past games, we've been waiting for Jewel and Jahnke to step up," said Dandan. "Our problem is our depth. That's why we're doing our best to give exposure to the younger players."

Ponferrada, a sophomore center from Samar, also contributed six rebounds, two assists and four blocks.

The loss of the Tamaraws, who dropped to 5-2 to join La Salle at second place, came a day after the departure of rookie big man Robert Kave.

Kave, who was with wounded teammate Mac Baracael in a brazen shooting incident, decided to return to Papua New Guinea due to trauma.

The inspired Tamaraws had rallied behind Baracael, who got shot by an unknown assailant near the FEU Gym on July 24.

The scores:

NU 69--Ponferrada 16, Jahnke 15, Asoro 14, Aguilar 12, Fabula 3, Garcia 3, Tungcul 2, Baloran 2, Catamora 2, Dela Cruz 0, Berry 0, Galapon 0, Luy 0.

FEU 61--Fernandez 12, Knuttel 11, Cervantes 8, Cawaling 8, Barroca 8, Ramos 6, Adolfo 4, Tanuan 2, Sanga 2, Macazo 0, Alisbo 0, Cabagnot 0.

Quarters: 12-18, 32-36, 52-51, 69-61