NU snaps UST’s 3-win streak in season sweep

MANILA, Philippines – In a battle of upstart squads, the National U Bulldogs once again got the better of the UST Growling Tigers, 69-61, to complete a UAAP Season 81 sweep at the FilOil Flying V Centre on Sunday, October 21.

NU’s super rookie Dave Ildefonso again did the damage at crunch time as the  Bulldogs snapped the Tigers’ three-game winning streak. 

Ildefonso drained 16 points, highlighted by 3 straight buckets that helped the Bulldogs arrest a late UST rally and regain a three-possession lead, 65-58, at the 2:59 mark.

The Bulldogs – who also hacked out a 75-70 opening-day win over the Tigers – remained at 7th place with a 3-6 record. UST also stayed put at 5th with a 4-5 slate.

Dave Yu drained a buzzer-beating triple at the end of the 3rd quarter to give NU an 11-point lead, 53-42. 

However, the Tigers charged back on pinpoint passes and key triples from Renzo Subido and Marvin Lee to cut the lead to 1, 56-57, with 5:06 to go in the 4th. 

Not to be outdone, Ildefonso responded with 3 clutch baskets to give the Bulldogs some buffer, 65-58.

As UST’s desperation threes clanked out one after another, Issa Gaye delivered the dagger layup, 69-61, with 19 ticks left in regulation.

The Scores

NU 69 – Ildefonso D 16, Rike 13, Clemente 12, Gaye 10, Diputado 7, Ildefonso S 4, Yu 3, Joson 2, Sinclair 2, Aquino 0, Gallego 0, Galinato 0, Tibayan 0.

UST 61 – Subido 18, Lee 12, Huang 11, Cansino 8, Mahinay 8, Caunan 4, Bataller 0, Marcos 0, Zamora 0, Cosejo 0, Agustin 0.

Quarters: 15-11, 33-32, 53-42, 69-61.

– Rappler.com