Rike leads NU in final UAAP game over UE

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Troy Rike sang his swan song and led National University to a 79-71 victory over University of the East in its final game in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at Mall of Asia arena.

The Bulldogs ended their campaign in the seventh seed with a 4-10 record while sending the last placed Red Warriors to a 1-13 card.

Rike, who’s a one-and-done player, leaves the Bulldogs but will stay at NU to finish his master’s degree in computer studies.

NU wasn’t threatened throughout the game after it went on a 14-6 run to take a 32-22 lead after Rike’s jumper midway through the second quarter.

“It’s good to end the season with a win obviously,” said Rike. “Of course the team and I would’ve wanted to have a better season than we did.”

“We have a lot of young guys and it’s unfortunate I won’t be able to be part of this team going forward but it’s going to be a strong team so to see it coming together at the end it was a nice way to end the season.”

Rike eventually finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds, his only double-double of his UAAP career, while Issa Gate added 12 points, six rebounds, and eight blocks.

Alvin Pasaol led the Red Warriors with 20 points and 14 rebounds while Chris Conner added 19 points and 13 boards.