NU deals UE's 4th straight loss

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) – The National University (NU) Bulldogs won over University of the East (UE) Red Warriors for the first time since 2002, pulling off a huge 70-63 win on Saturday in the UAAP Season 73 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Veteran gunner Kokoy Hermosisima fired all of his 8 points in the opening period while rookie Glenn Khobuntin came off the bench to score 10 of his UAAP career-high 13 points to lead the Bulldogs, who moved up to 2-2.

The win stopped the Warriors’ mastery over the Bulldogs at 14 games. NU last won against UE, 108-102, back in Sept. 7, 2002.

Hermosisima triggered a 23-9 start for the Bulldogs before Khobuntin took over in the 2nd period as they padded the lead to 42-27 at the turn.

The lead even ballooned to 20 points, 47-27, early in the 3rd period before the Warriors staged a furious rally that fell short.

Paul Lee and James Martinez combined for 17 points in a big offensive spurt in the 3rd quarter to cut the lead to a single digit.

The Warriors came within 6 points thrice in the payoff period. It was the closest they could get as the Bulldogs steadied at the stripes to wrap up the contest.

The Warriors were trailing 57-63 and had the chance to close the gap when Paul Lee committed 3 of his game-high 8 turnovers and James Martinez missed a triple to hasten their downfall.

Joseph Terzo and Melvin Baloran made key free throws that served as buffer, but the gritty Warriors refused to give up easily.

Paul Zamar and Lee made consecutive 3-pointers to come within 63-69 in the last 17.9 seconds. But time ran out on the Warriors, who fell to their 4th straight loss.

“Nakikita ko ang potential ng team na ito kaya hindi ko masabing masayang-masaya ako. Kailangan pa nilang matutunan ang killer’s instinct. Sabi ko sa kanila, kung may pagkakataon dapat tapusin na kaagad, huwag ng papormahin pa,” said NU rookie coach Eric Gonzales referring to his team’s near collapse in the 2nd half.

Melvin Baloran and Emmanuel Mbe also shone for the Bulldogs.

Baloran scored 11 points and grabbed 7 rebounds while Mbe had 10 and 13 boards to backstop Khobuntin, who also dabbled as a track and field athlete in his high school days in Letran.

Lee and Martinez scored 18 points apiece to pace the Warriors.

The Scores

NU 70 – Khobuntin 13, Baloran 11, Mbe 10, Hermosisima 8, Ponferrada 7, Terso 6, Singh 5, Javillionar 3, Malanday 3, Ludovice 2, Magat 2, Tungcul 0.

UE 63 – Lee 18, Martinez 18, Reyes 9, Acibar 7, Duran 5, Zamar 4, Ayala 2, Santos 0, Rosopa 0, Razon 0, Enguio 0, Casajeros 0, Sumido 0, Noble 0.

Quarterscores: 23-9, 42-27, 56-47, 70-63.

source abs cbn