Push Admin

Article (news)

NU snaps losing streak at UP's expense

Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/10/08/nu-up-100817.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>NU&#x27;s Matt Salem (11) stretches for a lay-up against UP&#x27;s Javi Gomez de Liano. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA – National University worked its way back to the win column in impressive fashion, as they outlasted the University of the Philippines, 77-70, in their final game of the first round of the UAAP Season 80 men&#x27;s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.J-Jay Alejandro and Matt Salem took charge down the stretch to help the Bulldogs snap a three-game losing streak and end the first round on a high note. NU improved to 3-4, winning for the first time since a 94-84 result over University of Santo Tomas on September 20.&quot;UP fought really hard, and we were both in a situation where we needed a win,&quot; said NU coach Jamike Jarin afterwards. &quot;We&#x27;re just happy right now that after 40 minutes of basketball, we came out lucky, and we got the game.&quot;Salem scored 21 points and grabbed 10 boards, while also nailing the dagger with 45 seconds left. Alejandro had eight of his 12 points in the final frame and also added six rebounds and seven assists to his stat-line.Issa Gaye contributed 13 points, eight boards, and four blocked shots.The Fighting Maroons, behind an all-around effort from Javi Gomez de Liaño, seized a 38-33 advantage at the halftime break and remained ahead early in the third frame. Disaster struck at the 7:55 mark of the quarter, however, as Jun Manzo suffered an ankle injury that forced him to sit out the rest of the contest.Replays later showed that Gaye had landed on Manzo&#x27;s right ankle.With Manzo out, the Bulldogs steadily worked their way back. A six-point NU burst anchored by Gaye gave them the lead, 51-46, with three minutes left in the third frame. UP was able to tie the game 53-all behind Juan Gomez de Liaño&#x27;s athletic forays to the basket, but Rev Diputado knocked down a three-pointer at the buzzer to send NU to the final period with a three-point cushion, 56-53.It was back-and-forth from there, with Alejandro dueling with UP&#x27;s Paul Desiderio as both tried to carry their teams to victory. However, in the end it was Alejandro who got more help from his teammates.A split at the line by Gaye made it 70-65 for NU with three minutes to go, but Desiderio fired a booming three-pointer, then Gaye&#x27;s basket interference allowed UP to tie the game at 70 with just 1:34 left.Unfortunately for the Fighting Maroons, they would not get back on the board. Alejandro toasted his defender with a slick move to the basket for a one-handed floater for a 72-70 lead with 57 seconds to go, and in their very next possession, Diputado found Salem wide open for a triple that proved to be the dagger.UP did not even get a chance to cut down the deficit, as they turned the ball over in their very next possession, with Jerson Prado unable to handle Diego Dario&#x27;s inbound pass thanks to Jordan Bartlett&#x27;s tight defense.&quot;It&#x27;s no secret that Matt Salem has been struggling all throughout, scoring-wise,&quot; said Jarin after the game. &quot;I told him for us to really make a push this season, he needs to overachieve.&quot;&quot;He played great defense today… He scored a lot of points, and I&#x27;m just very happy for this young man who has a very promising career,&quot; he added.Desiderio finished with 15 points, but made only 5 of his 15 attempts. Dario contributed 11 points, and the elder Gomez de Liaño finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. National U&#x27;s defense held UP to only 35.44% shooting in the game.The Fighting Maroons have now lost three straight games since their impressive upset of defending champions De La Salle University. At 3-4, they are tied with the Bulldogs for a share of fifth. The scores:NU 77 - Salem 21, Gaye 13, Alejandro 12, Joson 6, Diputado 5, Tibayan 4, Yu 3, Abatayo 3, Mosqueda 2, Morido 2, Aquino 2, Bartlett 2, Flores 2, Cauilan 0, Lastimosa 0, Rangel 0UP 70 - Desiderio 15, Dario 11, Gomez de Liano Ja 10, Lim 7, Ouattara 6, Manzo 6, Lao 6, Prado 5, Gomez de Liano Ju 4, Vito 0, Ricafort 0QUARTER SCORES: 18-21, 33-38, 56-53, 77-70(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website.</a>)

National University worked its way back to the win column in impressive fashion, outlasting University of the Philippines, 77-70, to end its first round campaign on a high note on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

National University worked its way back to the win column in impressive fashion, outlasting University of the Philippines, 77-70, to end its first round campaign on a high note on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

NU snaps losing streak at UP's expense

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Sports

NU snaps losing streak at UP's expense

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 08, 2017 02:04 PM PHT

|

Updated Oct 08, 2017 02:47 PM PHT

Read More:

UAAP

UAAP Season 80

UP Fighting Maroons

NU Bulldogs

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.