Michael Malonzo. Photo from UAAP
MANILA, Philippines — National University made short work of hapless University of the East, 77-61, to end its first round on a high note in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulldogs dominated the Red Warriors from the get-go, unleashing a blazing 11-0 start and keeping their momentum in the second quarter to build a 25-point spread, 38-13, after five straight points from Reyland Torres in the final four minutes of the first half.
UE’s Aurin Catacutan even had a mental lapse scoring at his own basket after he putback Janjan Felicilda’s missed free throw to give the Bulldogs a 59-30 lead in the third quarter before Shaun Ildefonso’s split free throws tallied their biggest lead at 30 points with 2:41 in the period.
Michael Malonzo led NU’s lopsided win with 12 points, shooting 5-of-6 from the field, on top of 10 rebounds. John Lloyd Clemente also scored 12 points, while John Galinato had nine points-all on triples-to go with five rebounds.
The Bulldogs finished the first round with back-to-back victories for an improved 4-3 record currently in fourth place.
“Big win for us. We will bring this momentum heading to the second round. But we have to be ready because our games will be tougher next round,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa. “Big confidence for our team because we maximized this opportunity for all 16 players for them to experience real basketball before we move to the second round.”
UE remained winless in seven games as coach Jack Santiago, who had already served his two-game suspension after an incident involving Ricci Rivero, didn’t return to the game with his deputy Jamike Jarin still calling the shots for his team.
Santiago said the school will have an internal investigation on the incident.
Kyle Paranada led the Red Warriors with 12 points and three steals. Catacutan had 11 points, while Jeremy Cruz had 10 markers and six boards.
The Scores:
NU 77 — Malonzo 12, Clemente 12, Galinato 9, Yu 8, Torres 7, Tibayan 7, Manansala 6, Enriquez 4, Minerva 4, Ildefonso 3, Joson 3, Felicilda 2, Figueroa 0, Flores 0, Mahinay 0.
UE 61 — K. Paranada 12, Catacutan 11, J. Cruz 10, Pagsanjan 7, Escamis 6, Antiporda 5, Sawat 4, Tulabut 4, Guevarra 2, Abatayo 0, N. Paranada 0, Beltran 0, Villanueva 0, Lorenzana 0.
Quarters: 22-9, 44-21, 68-39, 77-61.