By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The National University (NU) Bulldogs bounced back from their first defeat in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball as they dominated the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 87-69, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday, October 11.
Mike Malonzo led the balanced Bulldogs attack with 14 points, while Jolo Manansala contributed 13 markers as they notched their third victory in four matches to stay in second place.
Jake Figueroa chipped in 11 markers as Steve Nash Enriquez delivered 10 points, six assists and four rebounds, while John Galinato gathered nine points, four rebounds and four assists for NU.
With the game tied at 12, the Bulldogs opened the floodgates, ending the first quarter with a huge blast while limiting the Growling Tigers to just two points for an imposing 30-14 lead entering the second quarter.
The Bulldogs then started the second frame strongly with Kean Baclaan leading the way for a 24-point advantage, 40-16.
Sixteen would be the closest UST could get the rest of the way.
Capiznon Christian Manaytay paced the Growling Tigers with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Nicael Cabañero got 16 points and five rebounds. They dropped to a 0-4 record.
Meanwhile, De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers pulled away in the third quarter to topple the Adamson University Falcons, 71-58, as they tied the Bulldogs with a 3-1 win-loss slate.
The Green Archers were trailing early in the third quarter, 35-38, when Evan Nelle, Kevin Quiambao and Michael Phillips took over to turn things around with a massive 23-0 scoring run.
In the said run, Nelle made six points, Quiambao had nine, Phillips got five, and Joaqui Manuel added three to give the Green Archers a commanding 58-38 lead with 1:16 left in the third quarter.
Quiambao notched 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, as Phillips added 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks, while Nelle grabbed 15 rebounds to go with 12 points and five assists for DLSU.
NU 87 — Malonzo 14, Manansala 13, Figueroa 11, Enriquez 10, Galinato 9, Baclaan 7, Palacielo 4, John 4, Jumamoy 4, Delos Reyes 4, Lim 4, Parks 3, Gulapa 0.
UST 69 — Manaytay 18, Cabañero 16, Crisostomo 8, Calum 7, Llemit 7, Pangilinan 5, Laure 4, Lazarte 2, Manalang 1, Moore 1, Duremdes 0, Magdangal 0, Ventulan 0, Gesalem 0.
Quarterscores: 30-14, 48-26, 66-46, 87-69./ASC, WDJ