NU's Paul Francisco caught fire in overtime, outscoring Ateneo by himself 10-5, to lift the NU Bulldogs to a gutsy overtime squeaker and back to the summit of the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball.
Paul Francisco took over in overtime to lift the National University Bulldogs to a gritty 71-66 overtime escape against the depleted Ateneo Blue Eagles, regaining solo lead in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, October 18.
Francisco scored 10 of his 13 points in the extra session, including a personal 5-0 run that helped flipped a 65-66 deficit to a 71-66 NU lead.
From that point on, the Bulldogs managed to hang on for a third-straight win despite squandering an 18-point lead.
Jake Figueroa flirted with a triple-double outing of 13 markers, 10 boards, and eight dimes as NU finished Round 1 with a 6-1 card — their finest start since Season 86
Meanwhile, Jaden Lazo scored 17 points in a losing effort for the Blue Eagles, who missed the services of Jared Bahay (shoulder) and big man Divine Adili (back).
Shaun Tuano chipped in 15 points including a clutch triple that sent the game to overtime with nine seconds left in regulation.
What began as a promising 4-0 start has unraveled for Ateneo, which now finds itself reeling from three straight losses and sitting at 4-3 and outside the Final Four picture.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.