The NU Bulldogs battled back from 18 points down in the third quarter to keep the UE Red Warriors winless in UAAP Season 88.
The NU Bulldogs adjusted well after the halftime break to claw back into the game and beat the UE Red Warriors, 83-74, to clinch the twice-to-beat semis bonus in UAAP Season 88 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
NU, still leading the league at 10-2, are now assured of a Top 2 finish with one game remaining in the elimination round—the first time since UAAP Season 76. They will hold a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.
The Bulldogs found themselves down by 18, 35-53, early in the third quarter after an and-one opportunity from Wello Lingolingo.
But a sizzling 20-4 run helped NU get within two, 55-57, after a Jolo Manansala triple.
He then scored on an alley-oop from the inbound pass in the fourth quarter with 7:37 left to give NU their first lead of the second half, 62-61.
From then on, it was momentum for NU that propelled the Bulldogs to victory, even as UE hung on until the final moments of the match.
Overall, it was a fourth quarter where NU outscored UE, 27-13. The Red Warriors did not score a field goal in the final period until the 1:16 mark of the match.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.