MANILA, Philippines – National University narrowly escaped with their lives, hacking out a pulsating 51-49 victory over University of the East to grab the last semifinals seat in the 77th UAAP men's basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
NU's Alfred Aroga drilled two pressure-packed free throws with 12.4 seconds left in the game to give the Bulldogs the lead, which would eventually turn out to be the final count.
The charities were the result of a perfect inbound pass by Paolo Javelona to Aroga, who was fouled in an attempt underneath the basket.
"Those free throws from Alfred were really the biggest play of our season. The whole game we were having a hard time getting open in the inbound play. For Alfred to make those free throws was big for us," said NU coach Eric Altamirano.
NU then doubled on spitfire guard Roi Sumang in the next play, forcing him to give up the ball to a wide-open Bong Gallanza, who missed the potential game-winning triple at the buzzer.
"We knew they were going to Sumang. We wanted him to give up the ball so we doubled him right away," said Altamirano.
Glenn Khoubuntin topscored for the Bulldogs with 12 points while Aroga, Jeth Rosario and Gelo Alolino combined for 23 markers to help NU arrange a Final Four showdown with top-seeded Ateneo.
"Don’t give up. Yun lang nasa isip ko. Ayoko matapos yung last year nang ganun lang. Naghirap talaga kami kaya ginawa namin yung best namin para sa mga taong sumosuporta samin," said the graduating Khoubuntin.
Down by seven, 42-49, with less than three minutes left in the game, UE charged back with a 7-0 run – six points coming from Sumang. Chris Javier then split his charities with 37.9 ticks left to tie the count at 49-all.
Altamirano commended the tremendous effort from the Warriors, saying they also deserve to enter the Final Four.
"Unang una, I want to say I have to give it to UE. Kung pwede lang dalawa kami pumasok sa Final Four," he said.
“They really deserve to go in the Final Four. It came down to kung sino yung may gusto manalo and I'm proud of my boys. They showed character tonight," Altamirano added.
Sumang registered 19 points to pace the Warriors, who fell short of their dramatic run that saw them win six of their last seven games to force Sunday’s knockout game.
The Bulldogs will face a dangerous Ateneo side that will enjoy a twice-to-beat semis edge.