NU Hold Off La Salle, 75-67, to Keep Top Spot in UAAP Season 88
NU Bulldogs showed poise and precision down the stretch to preserve its grip on first place in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament, defeating De La Salle Green Archers, 75-67, on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulldogs improved to 8-2, extending their strong run by winning five of their last six games, while snapping La Salle’s four-game winning streak. The Green Archers slipped to 6-4, falling to solo fourth in the standings.
After trailing early, NU seized control in the second quarter, outscoring La Salle 28-12 to take a 50-38 halftime lead. The Green Archers, however, clawed back in the second half, cutting the deficit to five, 69-64, with just over three minutes left in the game.
But the Bulldogs stood firm behind Steve Nash Enriquez, who drilled his fourth triple of the night to extend the lead to eight, 72-64, with 2:07 remaining. Jake Figueroa followed up with a key steal to halt La Salle’s rally, before Mark Parks sealed the win with a clutch basket in the final minute.
Enriquez led NU with 16 points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting from three-point range, while Paul Francisco and Omar John chipped in 14 and 12 points, respectively. Parks added 10 points, including the dagger jumper that ended La Salle’s hopes.
(Video from the YouTube Channel of One Sports)
La Salle struggled at the line, sinking only 20 of 36 free throws (55.6%), a costly stat in a tight contest.
Jacob Cortez paced the Archers with 16 points, while Earl Abadam added 13. Team captain Mike Phillips posted another double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Statistically, NU dominated in efficiency — shooting 51.9% from the field compared to La Salle’s 36.7%. The Bulldogs also moved the ball better with 19 assists to 10, and registered more steals (13-9) and blocks (4-2).
The game also saw tempers flare when Vhoris Marasigan of La Salle was ejected for a disqualifying foul in the second quarter, adding to the team’s woes.
The Bulldogs will look to continue their winning momentum against the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Saturday, November 8, while the Green Archers aim to bounce back when they face the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday, November 9.
The Scores:
NU 75 – Enriquez 16, Francisco 14, John 12, Parks 7, Figueroa 5, Garcia 5, Manansala 4, Padrones 4, Palacielo 3, Jumamoy 3, Dela Cruz 2, Tulabut 0.
La Salle 67 – Cortez 16, Abadam 14, Phillips 11, Pablo 10, Macalalag 5, Daep 4, Dungo 4, Gollena 2, Marasigan 2, Nwankwo 0, Quines 0.
Quarter Scores: 22-26, 50-42, 61-54, 75-67.
