NU stops slide at expense of UP

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

National University broke its three-game slide in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament scored a vital win over University of the Philippines, 77-70, Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Bulldogs improved to 3-4 to tie the Fighting Maroons at the fifth spot, just a game behind fourth seed Far Eastern University.

Matt Salem delivered the dagger of a triple from the right corner at the 45-second mark that took the fight out of UP.

“I want to commend the fighting heart of these two young men [Salem and Issa Gaye] seating beside me,” said Bulldogs head coach Jamike Jarin.

“I personally have no choice to describe these young men and they’re a big factor in today’s victory. UP fought really hard and we were in a situation where we needed a win.”

The Fighting Maroons saw a chance in the 1:34 mark of the fourth when Gaye was called for basket interference on Ibrahim Outtara’s shot that tied the game at 70.

Jay Alejandro, though, gave NU a 72-70 lead with 1:17 left in the game, just before Salem hit the clutch triple.

UP lost starting point guard Jun Manzo in the 7:55 mark of the fourth after he sprained his right ankle.

Salem finished with a game-high 21 points to go along with 10 rebounds while Gaye put up 13 points and eight boards.

Paul Desiderio led UP with 15 points while Outtara had six points and 18 rebounds.