UAAP: Streaking NU ends first round on top, beats FEU

NU’s Reinhard Jumamoy gestures after hitting a shot against FEU in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.–UAAP PHOTO

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 89  basketball tournament – first round

MANILA, Philippines—National University squeaked past Far Eastern University, 69-65, to move into first place in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym.

The Bulldogs stretched their winning streak to three to improve to 5-2. NU shares the same record as University of the Philippines, but its win over UP last month puts the Bulldogs at No. 1.

The Tamaraws, on the other hand, absorbed their second straight defeat after a hot 4-1 start to begin the tournament.

READ: UAAP: ‘Win or lose,’ NU trusts Reinhard Jumamoy to take big shots 

“This is a big thing for our players’ characters, especially since we have a lot of young guys right now,” coach Jeff Napa said.

“Somehow, I’m seeing that they have the willingness to really work hard. At least we can match up with the effort that FEU gave us.”

Trailing 63-65 inside the final five minutes, NU finished the game on a 6-0 run capped by PJ Palacielo’s basket with 1:53 remaining.

Jorick Bautista went on a personal 7-0 spurt to put FEU ahead, 65-63, with 4:45 left. But the Tamaraws went scoreless the rest of the way, missing their last six attempts from the field and committing three turnovers.

Reinhard Jumamoy, who hit the game-winning triple against University of Santo Tomas on Oct. 10, had 12 points, four rebounds, and seven assists for NU, while Palacielo finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. Macmac Alfanta scored a team-high 14.

Tebol Garcia and Paul Francisco also notched double digits for the Bulldogs with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

The Tamaraws, who led by as many as nine in the second period, drew 10 points and 15 rebounds from Mo Konateh posted 10 points and 15 rebounds, while Cabs Cabonilas had 14 points and five rebounds.