MANILA, Philippines – The University of the East (UE) Red Warriors are now winners of two straight after defeating the National University (NU) Bulldogs, 90-77, on Saturday, October 14 at the Araneta Coliseum. 

The Red Warriors, who earned their first victory of the season on October 7 against the UST Growling Tigers, exacted revenge on the Bulldogs after their 17-point loss to them in the season opener, turning in a balanced team effort to also capitalize on NU’s lackluster offense.

The Bulldogs blew their early lead in the first, as the Red Warriors made a 15-4 run to take the lead. Dave Wilson Yu led the Bulldogs’ rally in the second quarter as he shot a triple that capped off the 11-2 run that allowed NU to get within two points. 

The Red Warriors answered back with an 10-3 run of their own punctuated by Alvin Pasaol’s bucket that forced NU to call a timeout. 

The NU Bulldogs started strong in the second half, inching closer to the Red Warriors’ to trail by just 3 points, 62-59 at the end of the third. Despite the back-and-forth action early in the fourth, the Red Warriors managed to pull away the lead again to double digits with an 11-2 run led by Mark Olayon.

Olayon topscored for the Red Warriors with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Nick Abanto and Pasaol both recorded double-doubles, with contributing 13 points and 11 boards, while Pasaol tallied 11 points and 10 rebounds. Issa Gaye led the Bulldogs with his own double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds.

The victory marks the Red Warriors’ first double digit win this Season 80.

This win improved the Red Warriors’ record to 2-6, while the Bulldogs fall to a 3-5 record in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament.

Scores:

UE (90) – Olayon 17, Bartolome 14, Maloles 13, Abanto 13, Pasaol 11, Manalang 7, Cullar 6, Derige 3, Varilla 2, Acuno 2, Conner 2

NU (77) – Gaye 20, Alejandro 16, Bartlett 8, Salem 7, Mosqueda 7, Yu 5, Joson 4, Lastimosa 4, Morido 3, Aquino 3, Diputado 0, Rangel 0, Tibayan 0, Abatayo 0, Cauilan 0

Quarter Scores: 21-15, 45-36, 62-59, 90-77. – Rappler.com