#UAAP78 Day 19: NU Stays Alive, Ateneo Pulls An Upset

The National University escapes an almost dethronement as they were able to survive the gritty Adamson squad 82-75

The Bulldogs started the game slow as Adamson soars high unexpectedly in the first period even without  one of their ace players Joseph Nalos who was suspended for one game, the Falcons were able to take a 16-12 lead at the end of the first. 

Adamson kept soaring high in the second period even leading the Bulldogs 30-19 in the mid part of the second period, though the Bulldogs were able to cut the lead down to 5, finishing the first half 36-31 still in favor of Adamson. 

In the third period the Bulldogs finally were able to take over the driver seat as they final lead the falcons 42-40 with less than six minutes left, but Adamson still were able to take the lead back to end the third 53-50. 

Again the Falcons took advantage of the sloppy defense of NU early in the fourth to take a 59-52 lead with seven minutes left in the game, but the Bulldogs were able shift the momentum on their side to take the lead and even almost winning the game as they went up 72-70 with just a few ticks left in the game, but Adamson's Ivan Villanueva were able to score an equalizer to send the game into overtime. 

With momentum still on their side the defending champs quickly breezes through the defense of the Falcons to take an 80-75 lead even without Alfred Aroga as he already fouled out of the game. J-Jay Alejandro saved the Bulldogs from dethronement as he poured in 22 big points for NU. 

Meanwhile, Pape Sarr carried the Adamson squad with his double-double performance of 32 points and 17 rebounds, as the Falcons crashed to a 1-9 record.  

Score: 

NU Bulldogs 85

Alejandro 22, Aroga 17, Alolino 17, Javelona 11, Javillonar 7, Celda 5, Neypes 3, Yu 3, 

Adamson Falcons 79

Sarr 32, Villanueva 10, Polican 9, Escalambre 8, Bernardo 4, Fernandez 3, Tungcab 3, Ng 3, Garcia 2, Margallo 2, Camacho 2, Miranda 1.

Despite facing some issues with some of their players, Ateneo were able to pull off a surprise win against the league leading UST 80-74.

The Blue Eagles were off to a hot start in the game as they were able to capitalize the slow start of UST to begin the game with a huge 21-12 lead.Entering the second period the outside shooting of Ateneo was just unstoppable as they were able to extend their lead 41-28 at the end of the first half.

In the third period slowly the Tigers started to heat up as they cut the lead of Ateneo down to just eight points to end the third period. Though UST almost come back to life in the third, still the Blue Eagles were able to extend their lead to 70-57 with five minutes more to go in the game.

Ateneo learned their lessons well as they were able to prevent the Tigers to make any runs in the fourth period. Arvin Tolentino starred in this win of the Blue Eagles as he scored a game high 20 points, adding to that is Von Pessumal's 16 points. Ateneo now takes the solo third spot with a 6-4 record.

Ed Daquioag and Marvin Lee combined 34 points for the Tigers as they dropped to 8-2 record.  

Score:

Ateneo Blue Eagles 80

Tolentino 20, Pessumal 16, Ravena 11, Black 9, Wong 6, Babilonia 5, Capacio 5, Gotladera 3, Ikeh 2, Nieto 2, Go 1.

UST Growling Tigers74

Daquioag 19, Lee 15, Ferrer 13, Abdul 12, Lao 7, Vigil 4, Sheriff 4
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