UE stuns NU, forces three-way fifth place tie

UE's Chris Javier led the charge for the Red Warriors as he finished with a game-high 16 points. Dennis Jerome Acosta/Dugout Philippines
By Emy Manipol

PASAY--The UE Red Warriors stunned defending champ National University, 52-47, after yet another third quarter meltdown by the Bulldogs on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The win by the Red Warriors forced a three-way tie for fifth place in the team standings as they improved their season to three wins and five losses. 

NU was poised to win the game after the Bulldogs, anchored by Alfred Aroga’s offense, displayed tenacious defense against UE.

NU’s prized center made life hard for UE’s smaller players inside the paint as Aroga imposed his might from both ends of the court.

After leading by ten, NU allowed UE to make a mini-run heading towards the end of the second quarter, capitalizing on Aroga’s stint on the bench and repeatedly attacked the basket to chop the lead to just seven before the halftime buzzer, 28-21.

NU, on the other hand, started having shooting woes during the third quarter when even their point-blank shots failed to find the end of the net. To add to NU’s mid-game meltdown, Aroga was called for his fourth personal forcing him to spend majority of the period on the bench. 

UE’s team captain Chris Javier pounded on the chance and spearheaded his team’s comeback.  NU surrendered the lead to UE. 37-36.

UE built on their momentum to snatch the win away from NU and complete their elimination round sweep of the defending champion, who now ties UE and UP in the standings. 

Aroga was the lone NU player to hit the double-digit mark as the bulldogs failed to get support from veteran Gelo Alolino who finished the game with 6 points.

Chris Javier led the charge for the Red Warriors as he finished with a game-high 16 points and saw significant contributions from Paul Varilla who tallied 10 points at the end of the match.

Box Scores:

UE (52) - Javier 16, Varilla 10, Abanto 7, Charcos 4, De Leon 4, Palma 4, Batiller 3, Gagate 2, Varilla 2, Derige 0, Manalang 0, Penuela 0, Sta Ana 0, Yu 0.

NU (47) – Aroga 11, Neypes 9, Diputado 8, Alolino 6, Celda 4, Sali4, Alejandro 3, Tansingco 2, Abatayo 0, Javelona 0, Javillonar 0, Yu 0.

Quarterscores: 12-8, 28-21, 36-37, 47-52

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