Jake Figueroa delivered the dagger triple as National University edged closer to securing a coveted twice-to-beat advantage with a hard-fought 70-64 victory over a resilient Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Wednesday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Key contributions from Reinard Jumamoy, Paul Francisco, and, most notably, Figueroa’s clutch three-pointer with 73 seconds remaining allowed the Bulldogs to guarantee at least a playoff for the twice-to-beat incentive. The win also strengthened their hold on solo first place in the eight-team field with a 10-2 record.
Riding a four-game winning streak, NU can secure the first playoff incentive outright if it overcomes cellar-dwelling University of the East this Saturday, November 16, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. The Bulldogs previously defeated UE convincingly, 72-57, in the first round last September 21.
“Sa game, siguro hindi pa rin ganon kami ka-satisfied kasi alam na namin na ito yung papasok ng last stretch. Mayroong challenge na tinatry to explain sa players na ito yung challenge na kailangan mo abutin, ito yung next level na kailangan niyo i-meet up para yung next stage na gusto namin mangyari, magawa namin talaga ng tama,” NU head coach Jeff Napa said.
The Tamaraws opened the payoff period with an eight-point burst, fueled by back-to-back triples from Jayden Jones and Neil Owens, plus a Kirby Mongcopa layup, giving them a narrow 56-53 lead.
But the Bulldogs countered with a game-shifting 12-3 run, highlighted by a Figueroa layup, a Francisco three-pointer, and an Enriquez inside shot, building a crucial six-point advantage at 65-59 with 2:58 remaining.
FEU briefly threatened to close the gap, as a Jedric Daa triple and one Janrey Pasaol free throw cut the deficit to 67-64. That’s when Figueroa delivered arguably the game’s most crucial basket — a three-pointer that restored the Bulldogs’ six-point lead at 70-64 with 1:13 left, effectively sealing the victory.
“Nakita ko lang yung shot clock. Yung tiwala kasi ni coach Jeff sa akin parang sariling anak kumbaga. Nahihiya ako sa kanya kasi daming minuto na binibigay sa akin, pero kahit magkamali ako, sobrang laki ng tiwala niya sa akin, kaya yung tira na ‘yon ay para sa kanila,” Figueroa said after finishing with 17 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block.
PJ Palacielo contributed 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting, with four rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Jolo Manansala turned in his best performance of the season with eight points and nine rebounds, adding one steal and one assist.
Francisco added nine points and three rebounds, while Jumamoy chipped in eight points on 3-of-6 shooting.
The setback was a major blow to the Tamaraws, who fell to 4-7, sliding further behind the fourth-placed University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers (6-5), fifth-placed Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles (5-5), and sixth-placed Adamson University Soaring Falcons (5-6) in the competitive Final Four race.
Pasaol led FEU with an all-around performance of 15 points, eight assists, and five rebounds, along with two steals and one block, while Mongcopa added 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one block. Daa and Owens contributed seven points each.
FEU looks to keep its slim Final Four hopes alive when it faces De La Salle University on Sunday, November 16, also at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
NU (70) – Figueroa 17, Palacielo 10, Francisco 9, Manansala 8, Jumamoy 8, Parks 5, Enriquez 4, Padrones 4, Garcia 2, John 2, Tulabut 1, Dela Cruz 0, Solomon 0.
FEU (64) – Pasaol 15, Mongcopa 10, Daa 7, Owens 7, Bautista 5, Konateh 5, Felipe 5, Montemayor 4, Jones 4, Ona 2.
Quarterscores: 18-13, 38-34, 53-48, 70-64
