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| Issa Gaye led NU's balanced attack to down UST. |
PASAY -- National University had withstand UST's barrage in the second half, pulling away in the payoff period to score a 94-84 win in the UAAP Season 80 Men's Basketball tournament at the MOA Arena.
The Bulldogs' trademark press limited the Growling Tigers to just eleven points in the fourth quarter to go back to their winning ways, moving up to 2-1.
Senegalese center Issa Gaye fired a double-double of 17 points and 13 boards, with guard JJ Alejandro coming up just two assists shy of a triple double after pitching in 13 and 10 for coach Jamike Jarin.
UST held the upper hand in the third quarter but their early entry to the penalty in the following quarter doomed them to their third successive loss, putting the immense efforts by Regie Basibas and Jordan Sta Ana in vain fouling out on their respective offensive plays.
Basibas had a game-high of 23 from the bench before leaving at 3:03 left in the game with th charge forced by Enzo Joson, with Sta. Ana following him with 1:32 left with an offensive foul.
NU and UST trade baskets in a se-saw first half before going on to lead 51-50, with Basibas firing in 15 first half points.
Basibas continued his surge in the third, scoring six straight points to give them a three-point lead after 30 minutes.
However, NU clamped down on UST in their payoff period with their pressing game, choking the Tigers top guns to recover from last Saturday's loss to La Salle.
The Scores
NU 94 – Gaye 17, Yu 13, Alejandro 12, Mosqueda 11, Bartlett 9, Salem 7, Cauilan 5, Joson 4, Abatayo 4, Aquino 3, Morido 3, Diputado 3, Lastimosa 3
UST 84 – Basibas 23, Sta. Ana 14, Faundo 9, Arana 8, Escalambre 8, Akomo 5, Lee 4, Huang 4, Macasaet 4, De Guzman 3, Kwawukumey 2
Quarter scores: 25-24, 51-50, 70-73, 94-84
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