Bulldogs bite back vs Archers, near Final 4

MANILA, Philippines — National U got back at reigning champion La Salle, 84-80, to clinch at least a playoff for a Final Four slot in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Paul Francisco drained the go-ahead triple inside the last minute as the Bulldogs avenged their 89-87 defeat to the Green Archers in the first round to firm up their stronghold of the second seed at 8-3, just behind early semifinalist UP (9-2).

NU, which dealt La Salle its first defeat in the second round after three straight wins, is assured of at least a knockout battle for one of the semifinal slots while staying on course to securing one of the twice-to-beat bonuses.

Francisco finished with nine points, providing a timely lift for NU that leaned on the eruption of MVP derby leader Reinhard Jumamoy, who scored 14 of his 21 points in the payoff period.

That’s more than half of NU’s total of 26 points in the final quarter as La Salle bled for 19, blinking first in the tightrope duel marked by 18 lead changes.

Mo Diassana was also instrumental with 19 points, eight rebounds and two steals while PJ Palacielo, second in MVP race behind his teammate, added 14 points, including the insurance free throws in the last three seconds.

Tebol Garcia and Macmac Alfanta chipped in nine and five points, respectively, for the charges of coach Jeff Napa, who are out for edemption after squandering a twice-to-beat edge as the top seed against eventual champion and No. 4 seed La Salle in Season 88.

“Hats off kay Reinhard kung paano niya dinala ‘yung team. Hindi bumigay ‘yung team sa dulo kahit pa nagka-momentum ‘yung La Salle,” said Napa.

Like their first duel, NU and La Salle figured in a toe-to-toe war with no team managing to lead by double digits. The Green Archers had their biggest lead at five while the Bulldogs went up by as many as eight.

And when La Salle was clinging on to a precarious 80-79 lead, Francisco came to the rescue and drilled a booming trey in the last 44 seconds off a dime from Jumamoy. La Salle missed multiple attempts from Doy Dungo and Mason Amos to snatch back the upperhand.

Later, Santo Tomas (5-6) scored an 86-85 squeaker over Far Eastern U (6-5) to snap a three-game skid and keep its Final Four hopes flickering.