Bulldogs gain semis

UE’s Roi Sumang and NU’s Dave Wilson Yu go after the ball in yesterday’s match at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

NATIONAL University nailed the last UAAP Final Four berth by stopping University of the East’s thrilling late-season run.

Alfred Aroga buried two free throws with 12.4 seconds left as the Bulldogs slipped past the Red Warriors, 51-49, in a heart-stopping playoff in the men’s basketball tournament yesterday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I just kept reminding the boys to keep their composure,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano. “True enough, they were able to get it done.”

The Warriors had one last chance to steal the game, but the Bulldogs denied star guard Roi Sumang a clear shot at the basket and Bong Galanza missed the potential game-winning triple at the buzzer.

“We knew coming into timeout they’re going to go to Sumang,” said Altamirano. “We wanted him to give up that ball. We knew he’s going to attack and do his one-on-one play, so we tried to double-team him.”

Next up for the Bulldogs is the top-ranked Ateneo, which totes a twice-to-beat advantage in their Final Four series starting Wednesday.

Defending champion La Salle and Far Eastern University tangle in the other semifinal pairing, but will first dispute the other twice-to-beat bonus in a playoff today at 4 p.m.

In women’s action, FEU and University of Santo Tomas tangle at the start of the stepladder semifinals at 1:30 p.m.  The winner will advance against La Salle, the No. 2 seed which holds a twice-to-beat edge.

NU completed a 14-0 sweep of the elimination round to earn an outright Finals berth and a thrice-to-beat edge against the survivor of the stepladder  phase.

It was a heartbreaking end for the Warriors, who at one point in the second round, looked headed for an early exit with a 4-5 record, but revived their campaign with a string of upsets.

“I have to give it to UE,” said Altamirano. “If there could be only five teams, they really deserve to be in the Final Four. But I’m proud of my boys. They showed character.”

Glenn Khobuntin dropped half of his team-high 12 points in the last six minutes to help the Bulldogs build a seven-point cushion, 49-42.

But Sumang sparked the Warriors’ late run with a three-point play and a triple that pushed the Warriors within a point, 48-49, with just 76 seconds left.

A Chris Javier free throw knotted the game at 49 with 37.9 ticks left, before Aroga knocked in the game-winners off a  foul from Charles Mammie.

Sumang drilled 19 points to pace the Warriors, who struggled with a pitiful 27.27 shooting clip and came out no better at the foul line at 8-of-18.

The Bulldogs pulled off the win even with topnotch guard Gelo Alolino fouling out with still 2:35 minutes to play.

Troy Rosario added nine points and nine boards for the Bulldogs, while Alolino and Alfred Aroga chipped in seven points each.

The scores:
NU 51—Khobuntin 12, Rosario 9, Alolino 7, Aroga 7, Javelona 6, Betayene 4, Alejandro 3, Perez 2, Diputado 1, Celda 0, Neypes 0.
UE 49—Sumang 19, Galanza 9, Mammie 8, Javier 5, Varilla 5, Arafat 2, Guiang 1, Alberto 0, De Leon 0, Jumao-as 0, Olayon 0, Palma 0.
Quarters: 15-14, 26-21, 38-31, 51-49