NU stuns UST for 3rd win

FILE – NU big man Troy Rike. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

National University scored its second win in three games after overcoming University of Santo Tomas anew, 69-61, in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at Filoil Flying V Center.

The Bulldogs stayed in the seventh spot in the standings with a 3-6 record and stopped the Growling Tigers’ three-game winning streak with the latter settling for fifth place with a 4-5 slate.

Rookie Dave Ildefonso took over late in the game for NU after his team allowed UST to erase an 11-point lead, 53-42, lead at the end of the third quarter to just one, 59-58, after Zach Huang’s layup midway through the fourth.

Ildefonso scored five points in the Bulldogs’ corresponding 6-0 run for their 65-58 lead with 2:58 remaining in the game.

“The ones who should get credit for this win are the 16 players who’ve responded today,” said NU head coach Jamike Jarin.

Ildefonso put up a team-high 16 points with four rebounds and three assists while big man Troy Rike had 13 points, six boards, and four dimes.

NU center Issa Gaye flirted with a double-double with 10 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks.

Renzo Subido led the Growling Tigers’ offense with 18 points while CJ Cansino hustled his way to eight points, 18 rebounds, and five assists.