NU shrugs off UE rally to secure first win

National University bounced back from its season-opening loss, pulling away from University of the East, 76-56 in the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday, September 19  at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs set the tone from the opening tip, racing to a 25-8 lead in the first quarter and carrying a 39-16 advantage into halftime.

UE responded after the break and slowly trimmed the gap, with Mo Tañedo’s basket making it 63-51 with 4:47 left in the game.

NU immediately answered the challenge, stringing together nine straight points to restore a 72-51 lead with 2:29 remaining and end the Red Warriors’ comeback hopes.

Mo Diassana turned in a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Reinhard Jumamoy added 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Kenshin Padrones finished with 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting and seven rebounds.

PJ Palacielo contributed nine points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, while Tebol Garcia had seven points.

Olamilekan Ajani and Toper Lagat each scored 11 points for UE.

NU moves to 1-1 in Season 89, while UE falls to 0-2. The Bulldogs next face UP on September 26, while the Red Warriors take on FEU on the same day.

The Scores: 

NU 76 – Jumamoy 12, Diassana 12, Padrones 11, Palacielo 9, Garcia 7, Francisco 6, Alfanta 6, Laconsay 4, Figueroa 4, Serrano 3, Miranda 2, Reyes 0, Perciano 0, Cartel 0, Tulabut 0, Solomon 0 

UE 56 – Ajani 11, Lagat 11, Sabroso 9, Carillo 6, Tañedo 6, Santos 4, Cruz-Dumont 3, Dungca 2, Robles 0, Vasquez 0, Datumalim 0 

Quarterscores: 25-8, 42-20, 54-40, 76-56

Photo credits: UAAP Media