NU Bulldogs bounce back with win over UST Tigers

B.B., October 11, 2022

BACK ON TRACK. Kean Baclaan leads NU's charge against UST to capture their second victory of the season. (PHOTO COURTESY OF UAAP Season 85 Media Team)

To keep pace in relentless UAAP Season 85, the NU Bulldogs quickly regained their winning ways following an early skid as they stave off a late scare against the UST Growling Tigers, 69-63, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

Fresh teammates Kean Baclaan and John Lloyd Clemente forged a promising duo to secure a second victory for the Bulldogs, who are bent on showing they are among the big boys in the tourney.

Baclaan, a former España top prospect, posted a breakout average of 16 points on 4-of-9 shooting from downtown including seven assists and four steals, while standout guard Clemente added a similar 16-point output on top of three rebounds.

The Sampaloc-based ballers seemed on their way to a blowout after Baclaan drilled a triple to stretch the window to an 18-point lead with 8:02 ticks left in regulation.

However, allayed by their tendency to relax, the Tigers clawed back with a 19-5 run, denying them of converting any field goal for the next seven minutes.

Capping off UST’s late scoring surge, Nic Cabañero unloaded a long bomb at the 10.2 mark in the final salvo that got them within 4, 63-67.

But the Espana squad’s rally rested dead on its tracks after Clemente sealed the Bulldog’s return to the winning column as he deposited two clutch free throws to set the final score.

“We did well in the third quarter, but we relaxed a bit, which we need to address. Addressing maturity is difficult. We had a commanding lead and the boys had a tendency to relax,” said NU coach Jeff Napa in Filipino.

“We cannot do that once we meet the defending champions (UP) on Wednesday.’’

On the losing side, Adama Faye and Cabañero shone as bright spots with a combined average of 36 points and 22 rebounds.

The Bulldogs seek to maintain their winning form on Wednesday, October 12 as they clash with the reigning champions UP Fighting Maroons at 1 pm, while 1-2 Tigers are gunning to break out of their slump with a big-way victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles at 11 am on the same day.

The Scores

NU 69 – Baclaan 16, Clemente 16, Omar 8, Malonzo 8, Figueroa 7, Padrones 4, Yu 3, Minerva 3, Mahinay 2, Manansala 2, Palacielo 0, Galinato 0, Tibayan 0.

UST 63 – Faye 20, Cabañero 16, Pangilinan 9, Garing 8, Manaytay 3, Calimag 3, Laure 2, Lazarte 2, Mantua 0, Duremdes 0, Herrera 0.

Quarters: 16-14, 35-23, 57-42, 69-63.

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