The Green Archers proved too hot to handle for the Bulldogs, who were simply overpowered in the final 10 minutes of play. The loss, however, did not take anything away from NU, this year’s biggest achiever just for having reached the Final Four.
"NU is a good team but the pressure just caught up with them when we poured on the heat in the fourth quarter," said La Salle coach Franz Pumaren, seeking a fourth straight title since taking over the team’s coaching chores.
La Salle and Ateneo, the country’s most popular collegiate squads, begin their best-of-three title showdown on Thursday before an expected SRO crowd at the Big Dome. It will be their first title matchup in 13 years with the Eagles winning the last.
Coach Manny Dandan of NU offered no excuses for the loss which came two days after his Bulldogs posted a thrilling double-overtime victory over the UE Warriors for the right to face the Archers in the Final Four.
"Just what I’ve said, it’s already an accomplishment for us to make it into the Final Four. So, we’re not ashamed of our performance this year," said Dandan. NU last won the UAAP title in 1954 but didn’t get even closer to a final stint this year as La Salle got on its way.
Ren Ren Ritualo, a strong candidate for the MVP award, sizzled with nine of his 26 points in the fourth quarter although it was Mike Cortez’ back-to-back triples that broke the gates wide open and led La Salle to a 15-point lead.
Ariel de Castro and Jeff Napa combined for 40 NU points as they mightily tried – but failed – to carry the fight. Old reliables Alfie Grijaldo and Froilan Baguion were hardly a factor in the game, being held to four and three points, respectively.
The game was tight in the first half with five deadlocks and 16 lead changes. The Archers then started to pull away in the third period where they took a 70-60 lead.
Controversial Mark Cardona also played a major role in the victory, coming up with 19 points and 10 rebounds.