Salem credits NU teammates for breakout performance

NU Bulldog Matt Salem. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Even in his moment of glory, Matt Salem was quick to share the spotlight with the rest of his 13 teammates.

Salem had a career-high 26 points to lead the Bulldogs to an 80-69 win over University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“We’ve all been working hard, my performance was well but it wouldn’t be like that if my teammates weren’t setting me up,” said Salem as NU improved to 4-2 and climbed to the second spot.

READ: UAAP: NU crushes UP for 4th win

Salem averaged 13.83 points in his first five games before his breakout performance against the Maroons.

His hot shooting also came in the opportune time for the Bulldogs as Salem put up 11 of his total in the fourth quarter when UP tried to come back.

NU clung to a 59-57 lead midway through the fourth but the Bulldogs managed to get on an 11-2 run to establish a 70-59 margin with 2:50 left.

“These points didn’t come from me, but from the guards who were creating,” said Salem. “It wasn’t me who did all of that, my teammates did their roles.”