National University’s Jake Figueroa in action against Ateneo de Manila University in UAAP Season 88. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA (UPDATED) — Jake Figueroa flexed his might for National University for a 64-50 victory over Ateneo de Manila University in UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball on Sunday at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Bulldogs’ star senior notched 17 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block to power the Jhocson-based team to their league-leading seventh victory in nine games.
“Pinakita talaga nila yung leadership nila, even si Jake Figueroa stepped up para maging stabilized kami sa court,” said National U coach Jeff Napa, whose team used a 14-to-nothing surge in the third to turn a 30-42 disadvantage into a 46-40 lead.
“Natalo kami, pero constructive criticism helped us,” added the former NU sniper, as they bounced back from their 74-78 loss to University of the Philippines last Wednesday.
Also solid from Napa’s side were Reinhard Jumamoy, Nash Enriquez, and Jolo Manansala, with the trio scoring eight markers each in a contest wherein they pulled away in the fourth canto after they outscored their counterparts, 20-10.
"Wala na ako masasabi sa kanila. Nag-respond sila doon sa nangyari sa amin against UP. Still credit sa kanila. Hindi naman sa akin yun, sila yung gumawa ng paraan," Napa said.
"Even when we’re down the third quarter by eight something after yung kay Gelo na unsportsmanlike foul, our boys stayed sharp para ready to respond. Nakuha namin momentum namin up to the stretch of the fourth quarter," he added.
Napa was referring to the disqualifying foul called on Gelo Santiago in the 8:39 mark of the third quarter for hitting Ateneo's Waki Espina.
After Santiago's ejection, he praised players like Steve Nash Enriquez, Reinhard Jumamoy, Kenshin Padrones and Nath Tulabut for stepping up.
"Galing ako sa masamang game nung UP. Inaano ko lang sarili ko na dapat kung ano sinasabi ko sa teammates ko hindi ko babalewalain. Tinanggap ko yung challenge ni coach Jeff sa akin. Nag-step up naman kaming lahat," Enriquez said.
"Hindi ako naglaro last game kasi may nangyari. Nagpapasalamat ako kay Coach Jeff na yung tiwala hindi nawawala sa akin," Jumamoy shared.
On the other hand, Kymani Ladi had 12 markers with two boards and an assist, but his 5-of-14 shooting and two turnovers did not help the Blue Eagles’ cause as they fell to their fifth straight loss after opening Season 88 with four consecutive wins.
Andrew Bongo listed nine points and nine rebounds, while Dom Escobar poured in six markers, seven boards, and three dimes in the loss.
The Bulldogs will battle the De La Salle Green Archers on November 2 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Blue Eagles will next face the UE Red Warriors on November 5 at the same venue. -- with a report from Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News
The Scores:
NU 66 – Figueroa 17, Jumamoy 8, Manansala 8, Enriquez 8, John 6, Palacielo 7, Francisco 5, Padrones 5, Dela Cruz 2, Garcia 0, Parks 0, Santiago 0, Tulabut 0.
Ateneo 50 – Ladi 12, Bongo 9, Escobar 6, Espinosa 5, Tuano 4, Lazaro 4, Espina 3, Fjellvang 3, Bahay 2, Lazo 2, Nieto 0, Gamber 0.
Quarterscores: 15-19, 30-30, 46-40, 66-50.