National University against De La Salle University in UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball. Photo from UAAP Media.
MANILA (UPDATED) — National University reasserted its mastery of De La Salle University after its 75-67 win in UAAP Season 88 men's basketball on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Steve Nash Enriquez led the cagers from Jhocson Street with 16 points on 4-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc, allowing the Bulldogs to not only sweep the Green Archers this year, but also stay at the top of the team standings with eight wins against two losses.
"Alam namin na nasa four-game win streak ang La Salle, so 1000% energy talaga binigay namin," said Enriquez, who drained a three-point dagger in crunch time to fend off the Green Archers.
Paul Francisco was also solid in the win with 14 markers, three assists, and two boards, while Omar John posted 12 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and two assists to avoid the 13-point meltdown.
Jake Figueroa struggled offensively, making just two of nine field goals for five points, but he delivered in other areas for NU and recorded eight rebounds, six steals, and six assists.
La Salle trimmed the deficit to just five after Jacob Cortez and Mike Phillips combined for three free throws, 64-69, with 3:05 left in the contest. But Enriquez responded with a booming triple to restore a comfortable 72-64 lead.
Cortez and Luis Pablo again brought the Green Archers within five following a layup and a split from the line, respectively. However, Mark Parks had the final say, sinking a reverse layup to stretch NU's lead to 74-67 with just 46.9 seconds remaining.
Cortez led La Salle's charge with 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists, but these went for naught as their free-throw woes haunted them anew.
La Salle also played without Vhoris Marasigan for most of the game, as he was ejected in the second quarter due to a disqualifying foul for landing a closed-fist hit on John while fighting through a screen.
The Green Archers only made 20 of their 36 attempts from the 15-foot line, in turn, halting their four-game win streak. They now hold four losses in 10 games with only four games left in Season 88.
Earl Abadam had 13 points, Mike Phillips finished with an 11-point, 10-rebound outing, while Luis Pablo had 10.
NU will aim to inch closer to a Final Four berth when it faces Adamson University on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Green Archers will look to bounce back against archrival Ateneo de Manila University next Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
NU 75 – Enriquez 16, Francisco 14, John 12, Parks 7, Figueroa 5, Garcia 5, Manansala 4, Padrones 4, Palacielo 3, Jumamoy 3, Dela Cruz 2, Tulabut 0.
La Salle 67 – Cortez 16, Abadam 14, Phillips 11, Pablo 10, Macalalag 5, Daep 4, Dungo 4, Gollena 2, Marasigan 2, Nwankwo 0, Quines 0.
Quarterscores: 22-26, 50-42, 61-54, 75-67.