Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
National University separated itself from rock bottom after dismantling University of the East, 88-61, in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulldogs, who snapped their five-game losing streak, climbed to seventh with a 2-5 record while the Red Warriors remained at the cellar with a 1-6 card.
After building a four-point lead, 23-19, at the end of the first quarter, NU outscored the Red Warriors, 33-16, to take a commanding 56-35 buffer at the break.
“Of course it always feels good when you win because it’s been a long time,” said NU head coach Jamike Jarin who managed to make fun of himself.
“I was clinically dead because of these young men but there’s more reasons to get up and work harder and it’s because of these young men.”
Effort became the Bulldogs’ calling card after they put the Red Warriors in a vise grip.
The Bulldogs forced UE to just 23-of-65 shooting and outhustled the Red Warriors underneath coming away with a 55-31 rebounding edge.
Rookie John Lloyd Clemente led the Bulldogs’ offense with 21 points, on 7-of-11 shooting, while Dave Ildefonso added 14 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Issa Gaye patrolled the paint for NU coming away with a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double while Shaun Ildefonso had 12 points.
Alvin Pasaol finished with 20 points and nine rebounds for UE while Chris Conner and Philip Manalang had 15 and 10 points, respectively.