BY ABBY TORALBA
NATIONAL University streaked to its fourth straight win, a 67-57 decision over University of Santo Tomas yesterday, and advanced to the Final Four of the UAAP Season 85 basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulldogs, who improved their record to 9-3, made the postseason for the first time since Season 78 when the NU program was under Eric Altamirano.
The Bulldogs joined defending champion University of the Philippines in the Final Four.
“What’s next? Kailangan namin mag-ensayo tomorrow. We have to be ready against La Salle,” said NU coach Jeff Napa, referring to their battle against the Green Archers this Wednesday. “We have to be ready for our last two games in the second round kasi hindi lang naman Final Four ‘yung tina-target namin dito.”
Earlier, Ateneo pulled off an impressive comeback to beat Far Eastern University 71-65, extending its winning streak to three while clinching a playoff for a Final Four slot.
Down 52-54 off a basket by UST’s JC Garing, NU turned things around and took a 64-54 lead with 1:51 remaining behind Steve Nash Enriquez, Omar John, Michael Malonzo, and John Lloyd Clemente.
Clemente led NU with 19 points and five rebounds while Omar John contributed 12 points. Kean Baclaan had 10 points, six assists, and five rebounds for the Bulldogs. Malonzo also had six points, six rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
“Bad win for us but still naka-survive sa UST,” added Napa. “Wala ng pressure sa UST. They played their hearts out. Binigyan kami ng problema pero good thing, second half we came back, at least nag-regroup kami. Nakuha namin ‘yung panalo.”
“That win was just heart and some decent execution in the fourth quarter,” said Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin, whose charges improved to 8-3. “Up until then, we were pretty bad really in most aspects of the game.”
