MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The National University (NU) Bulldogs opened the UAAP Season 80 basketball tournament with a win over the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 86-69, on Saturday, September 9 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Bulldogs established a steady lead during the first period to end the quarter with a 20-13 advantage over the Red Warriors. However, an Alvin Pasaol triple stimulated the Red Warriors to rally back, with Culler’s layup making it 20-all early in the second period. 

JJ Alejandro sparked a mini 4-point run to extend the lead for the Bulldogs, 25-20, but UE rookie player Mark Maloles made his second 3-pointer of the game that led the Red Warriors to another tie at 29-all. Reggie Morrido powered the Bulldogs to end the first half at 38-30. 

The second half saw Bulldogs Alejandro and Dave Wilson Yu catch fire. Yu led the Bulldogs with outside shots as he made two triples in the third quarter that saw Bulldogs garner a 66-53 lead by the end of the third.

Alejandro proved to be essential in garnering inside points that widened the score gap. The Bulldogs were successful in limiting the Red Warriors’ offense as the ended the game with a 17-point lead.

Yu led the Bulldogs with a stat line of 14 points, 8 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Morido followed with 12 points, while NU rookie Issa Gaye and Alejandro contributed 11 points apiece. Alejandro proved to also be consistent throughout the game as he grabbed 5 rebounds and made 7 assists and 5 steals.

Pasaol top-scored for the Red Warriors with 14 points, while Maloles and Rey Acuno scored 10 points each.

Jamike Jarin, making his first start as Bulldogs head coach in the UAAP, praised Alejandro and Yu for their contributions.

“It feels good that we won, but there are lot of things to work on. It’s always hard to play the opening game.

“This guy to my right (Alejandro) played consistently, and this guy on my left (Yu), I don’t know what he ate today but he played so well.”

Last season, the Bulldogs and the Red Warriors failed to make it to the final four, landing in 5th and 7th place, respectively. 

This win puts the Bulldogs at a 1-0 record in the UAAP Season 80 basketball tournament, while the Red Warriors fall to 0-1. 

Scores

NU (86): Yu 14, Morido 12, Alejandro 11, Gaye 11, Aquino 9, Diputado 6, Salem 5, Abatayo 5, Bartlett 5, Mosqueda 4, Joson 2, Lastimosa 2, Cauilan 0, Tibayan 0, Flores 0.

UE (69): Pasaol 14, Maloles 10, Acuno 10, Olayon 6, Derige 5, Armenion 5, Abanto 5, Manalang 4, Varilla 2, Conner 2, Cruz 2, Bartolome 2, Cullar 2, Gagate 0.

Quarter scores: 20-13, 38-30, 66-53, 86-69. – Rappler.com