Ken Baclaan leads the NU Bulldogs for a 2-0 start in the UAAP Season 86. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — National University avoided a second-half meltdown to stay unbeaten in two games and keep Far Eastern University winless, 71-65, in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Kean Baclaan delivered a near triple-double performance of 15 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals to give the Bulldogs a share of a 2-0 lead with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons ahead of their duel on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
However, NU coach Jeff Napa wasn’t pleased with their second win after allowing FEU to keep them within striking distance in the second half.
“We’re lucky enough to get this win because we played a really bad game for us. FEU is a dangerous team as I’ve been telling them a few days ago,” said Napa in Filipino. “We really played bad. That’s what I will emphasize to the team coming to that practice tomorrow.”
Baclaan, who only shot 5-of-16 from the field, came to the rescue when Xyrus Torres’ triple trimmed NU’s lead to four, 66-62, hitting a clutch fadeaway shot for a 69-62 breather with 1:56 left.
NU Bulldogs’ Mike Malonzo. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The Bulldogs blew a 15-point margin in the third quarter as the Tamaraws unleashed a 17-4 run capped by Torres’ triple to turn it into a two-point game, 49-47, with 3:56 remaining in the third. Bobby Mark Parks restored the order for NU with a trey, 54-47.
NU had another balanced attack with Mike Malonzo chipping in 10 points. Steve Nash Enriquez had nine points, four rebounds, and three assists. Omar John added nine points and eight rebounds, while Jake Figeroa had eight markers and 12 boards.
FEU dropped to 0-2 under new coach Denok Miranda before facing the University of the East on Saturday.
Cholo Añonuevo led the Tamaraws with 16 points and eight rebounds. LJ Gonzales had 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Torres added 14 points from four three-pointers.
The scores:
NU (71) – Baclaan 15, Malonzo 10, Enriquez 9, John 9, Figueroa 8, Lim 5, Yu 4, Palacielo 4, Manansala 4, Parks 3, Jumamoy 0, Padrones 0.
FEU (65) – Añonuevo 16, Gonzales 15, Torres 14, Sleat 8, Bagunu 5, Alforque 2, Ona 2, Faty 2, Bautista 1, Tempra 0.
Quarterscores: 14-8, 43-30, 57-51, 71-65.