National U’s Matt Salem. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
National University crept upwards into the second seed of the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament dismantling University of the Philippines, 80-69, Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulldogs improved to 4-2 behind first seed La Salle while the Fighting Maroons dropped to 1-6 to end their first round campaign.
UP trailed by just two points, 59-57, with 4:16 left in the fourth but the Bulldogs immediately retaliating with an 11-2 run that put their lead up to 11 with 2:50 to go.
Bulldogs head coach Eric Altamirano knew UP had the capability to make it a close game and he was relieved NU had the composure to weather the storm.
“It was a grind for us, and I expected that,” said Altamirano. “Unfortunately we did not play good defense in the second half and we didn’t take care of the ball again.”
NU committed 21 turnovers in the game that the Fighting Maroons happily converted to 18 points.
Matt Salem had a career-high 26 points for the Bulldogs to go along seven rebounds while Rev Diputado and John Gallego had 12 points apiece.
Jett Manuel led UP with 21 points.
The Scores
NU 80 – Salem 26, Diputado R 12, Gallego 12, Alejandro 7, Aroga 7, Mosqueda 5, Pate 5, Salim 4, Morido 2, Aquino 0, Diputado C 0, Abatayo 0, Rangel 0, Sinclair 0
UP 69 – Manuel 21, Desiderio 11, Moralde 8, Espanola 5, Prado 4, Webb 4, Lao 4, Vito 3, Longa 3, Harris 2, Asilum 2, Jaboneta 2, Lim 0, Dario 0, Romero 0, Gomez de Liano 0
Quarters: 12-15, 35-24, 52-46, 80-69