NU Bulldogs stun FEU Tamaraws

(NU big man Issa Gaye diving for the loose ball. Photo by Jerome Ascano/spin.ph)

The National University (NU) Bulldogs escaped the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 87-84, in the Season 80 Men’s Basketball Tournament of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

Down 64-72 at the end of third canto, NU gunners Jayjay Alejandro and Issa Gaye outscored the whole FEU team in the payoff period, 20-12, which allowed them to come back in the game and keep their Final Four hopes alive.

Alejandro’s booming triple at the latter part of the fourth frame gave Bulldogs the lead for good, 82-81.

The Tamaraws sank 18 three-pointers in the game, the new UAAP record in most made threes.

Gaye paced NU with a double-double of 24-11, while Alejandro added 17 points, six boards and nine assists.

FEU was led by Arvin Tolentino who posted 21 markers in 19 shots including 14 attempts from behind the arc. Ron Dennison also chipped in 21 points and four steals.

The Bulldogs improved to a 5-8 record, while the Tamaraws fell to 6-7.

NU Bulldogs will next face the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Big Dome while the FEU Tamaraws will try to even their record against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on the same date at the same venue. SHAYLA RAE ROMERO