Bulldogs ward off Eagles; Tigers win

Games today (Mall of Asia Arena)

2 p.m. – UP vs FEU

4 p.m. – UE vs DLSU

MANILA, Philippines - Young turks Pao Javelona and Rev Diputado saved the day as National U brought down Ateneo, 64-60, to get back on the winning track in the UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball tourney at the Mall of Asia Arena yesterday.

Javelona and Diputado manned the backcourt at crunch time and proved their worth by scoring six of their last nine points as the Bulldogs bounced back from their 55-57 setback to La Salle Wednesday, passing what coach Eric Altamirano called a “test of character.”

“I think they really showed their character today,” said Altamirano after NU improved to 3-1 and dragged erstwhile unbeaten Ateneo (also 3-1) to joint second behind idle University of the East (2-0).

Earlier,  Santo Tomas flirted with disaster before escaping with a 50-49 win over a hard-fighting Adamson U to improve to 2-1.

“I’m very proud of our boys, especially our bench. Like I said, our identity is not really that of a team relying on one person but one that dishes out a collective effort. Our bench players stepped up, like Javelona, Diputado and early in the game, (Ralph) Atangan. We committed to really play our team defense,” Altamirano said..

Javelona scored only six markers but helped contain Ateneo gunner Kiefer Ravena, who finished with 13 but only got two in the second half, on freethrows. For his part, Diputado shot 10, including a clutch basket and a split that gave NU a 61-56 cushion.

“We felt in the end, we had to focus more on defense - stop Ravena and pressure their point guard. In the last few minutes they (Javelona and Diputado) were really doing a good job and controlling the tempo of the game so we thought of keeping them in,” said the NU mentor.

Troy Rosario led the way with 16 markers while Glenn Khobuntin (16 rebounds) and Alfred Aroga (11 boards) took care of business inside for NU.

Rookie Arvin Tolentino fired 17 points and grabbed 9 rebounds to pace the Eagles.

Kent Lao split his freethrows with 1.1 seconds left as the flat Tigers, who trailed by as many as nine points, avoided a huge embarrassment.

“I’m at a loss as to how we played this way coming off a good game against FEU,” said UST coach Bong dela Cruz,

The Tigers came into the game the heavy favorites, especially after their 69-67 triumph over the Tams but what should have been a routine W against the rookie-laden Falcons (0-3) became a major struggle.

“The boys were tentative for no reason at all. We have to regroup),” he added.

The Falcons, who played without suspended veteran Don Trollano, nearly made the Tigers pay for their lackadaisical performance. They were still ahead 49-45 going to the last 4:37 but due to lack of experience and breaks of the game, bombed out at the finish.