NU snaps 6-game slide with win over UE

MANILA, Philippines – National University finally stepped back into the win column, ending a 6-game losing skid with a much-needed 64-52 victory over University of the East in the second round of the UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday, November 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Matt Salem poured 11 of his game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter to spearhead a 20-7 game-sealing outburst that gave the Bulldogs only their fifth win in 13 games.

Bigman Alfred Aroga had a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds with two assists and two blocks, while Manuel Mosqueda chipped in 11 markers and 4 boards. Jay Alejandro had 10 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals in the win.

“I thought we played good defense especially lin the fourth quarter. We were able to assert ourselves in making stops,” head coach Eric Altamirano said, breathing a sigh of relief as his team still has a shot at making the Final Four, although their fate is no longer in their hands.

“It’s been a long time, it’s been a very long dry spell for us. We’re happy for this win. We don’t know the significance of this win but what’s important for us is getting back into the winning column.”

The Bulldogs, who trailed after the first and third quarters, came alive in the payoff period with Salem firing 3 treys and Alejandro adding one more to turn a 46-50 deficit into a 64-50 advantage with 1:23 left to play.

NU ended the game on a huge 18-0 run, snuffing the life out of a struggling UE.

Alvin Pasaol, who scored the Warriors’ last basket of the game on a 3-pointer early in the fourth, paced UE with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Philip Manalang added 7 markers and 6 boards as UE lost its 10th game in 12 outings. – Rappler.com