Bulldogs rally late, avoid colossal loss to Soaring Falcons in OT

MANILA, Philippines – The National University Bulldogs avoided disaster and remains in the UAAP Season 78 senior’s basketball Final Four hunt after rallying past the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 85-79, in overtime on Wednesday, October 21, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Down by 6 late in the fourth period, National U stringed together a couple of stops and eventually took the lead on 4 pressure-packed free throws by J-Jay Alejandro, who also took over in the extra 5-minute session to seal the victory for his team.

The victory ended NU’s 3-game losing streak and improved their record to 4-6, while Adamson, who was up 70-64 late in the game, dropped to 1-9.

“Happy kami, although, yun nga, muntik pa,” said Bulldogs team captain Gelo Alolino in the post-game presser. “Talagang kailangan namin yung game na to.”

(We’re happy, although we almost let the game slip. We really needed this game.)

A loss for the Bulldogs would have put them 3 games behind La Salle and Ateneo, the current third and fourth seeds, respectively, in the loss column with 4 games left on their schedule. 

The Bulldogs are still scheduled to face both teams one more time each.

“I’m very proud of the boys because they showed resiliency,” said Bulldogs head coach Eric Altamirano, whose team trailed by 11 in the first half, 28-17.

“I’m very happy with that (their performance). They played together. That’s what’s important with us. We emphasize that,” the head coach also said.

Alejandro led the way with 22 points – 8 coming in overtime. Alolino finished with 17 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds, while Alfred Aroga registered 17 points, 11 boards, and 5 blocks.

“Si Jay, big game, nag step-up siya,” said Alolino. 

(Jay had a big game and stepped up.)

NU’s rally commenced with 1:46 left in the fourth quarter, when Alolino converted on a running floater on the break to cut a 70-64 Soaring Falcons lead to 4. 

After Alolino split a visit to the foul stripe later on, Adamson was unable to counter with a basket. Alejandro was then fouled shooting a 3-ball, and a technical foul was assessed to the Falcons’ Jerome Garcia for his second resentment to a call violation.

Alejandro hit the 3 charities from the shooting foul and made the technical free throw to give his team a 71-70 lead. The Bulldogs then attained a stop and Pao Javelona was fouled, but he only made one of two free throws, 72-70.

The Soaring Falcons were then able to tie the game on a well-executed out of bounds play that saw Ivan Villanueva get open under the rim for an easy layup. Alolino then missed a runner that could have won the contest.

Alejandro opened the scoring in overtime with a layup, 74-72. After Adamson tied the game on a pair of William Polican free throws, Alejandro converted a 3-point play, 77-74.

With 1:19 remaining, Alejandro again scored on a 3-point play to put his team ahead 80-75.  Adamson cut the lead to 4 on a Pape Sarr charity, but then Kyle Neypes put the nail in the coffin with a 3-ball, 83-76, with 1:05 remaining.

Sarr, who Altamirano said could play as an import in the PBA today, exploded for 32 points and 17 rebounds. Villanueva recorded 10 points and 6 boards, while Polican finished with 9 points.

The Bulldogs will face the Blue Eagles next on Sunday, October 25. 

“Obviously, we cannot play the way we played today against Ateneo,” Altamirano warned. “We have to be sharp. We have to show our A game.”

The last time both teams faced, the Blue Eagles won in double overtime.

“We know how hard our role will be,” the NU head coach said about the defending champions’ tall task to make the Final Four. “I reminded the boys: one game at a time. Trust the process.”

Adamson, who’s now officially eliminated from Final Four contention, will go up against La Salle on Saturday, October 24.

Scores:

NU (85): Alejandro 22, Alolino 17, Aroga 17, Javelona 11, Javillonar 7, Celda 5, Neypes 3, Yu 3, Abatayo 0, Diputado 0, Rangel 0, Salim 0, Tansingco 0

ADU (79): Sarr 32, Villanueva 10, Polican 9, Escalambre 8, Bernardo 4, Fernandez 4, Ng 3, Tungcab 3, Camacho 2, Garcia 2, Margallo 2, Miranda 1, Garcia 0

Quarter scores: 12-16, 31-36, 50-53, 72-72, 85-79 – Rappler.com