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Jake Figueroa and Paul Francisco pull off a heroic escape for top-ranked NU as Ateneo comes short in its rally from 18 points down to fall to its 3rd straight loss after a surprise 4-0 start

MANILA, Philippines – The NU Bulldogs went through a whirlwind of emotions to end the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament after blowing an early 18-point lead, but eventually escaping the reeling Ateneo Blue Eagles in a 71-66 overtime thriller at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, October 18.

With the win, the Jeff Napa-coached squad rose to a momentary solo first record of 6-1, with 5-1 UST still playing the Adamson Soaring Falcons as of posting time, while Ateneo fell to a 4-3 slate to cap the first round of eliminations after a surprising 4-0 start.

Top Bulldogs star Jake Figueroa flirted with a triple-double in the crucial win, posting 13 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks in 39 minutes of action for the Bulldogs, who saw an early 30-12 lead disappear as the Eagles got going in the second half.

The extra period, however, was practically an exclusive show for Fil-Canadian gunner Paul Francisco, who notched all 10 of NU’s overtime points — 9 coming off three triples from his 4-of-6 total clip from deep — for 13 markers overall.

It was a downtown showdown in the clutch for Francisco and Ateneo’s one-and-done guard Jaden Lazo, who stepped up admirably for the injured Jared Bahay with a game-high 17 points on 4-of-9 threes, before ultimately falling short after clanking a wide-open deep shot with 28.3 seconds to play in OT.

Shawn Tuano donned the hero’s cape in regulation after sinking the game-tying three, 61-all, and giving Ateneo’s lone lead of the night at 66-65 to finish with 15 points on a near-perfect 5-of-6 shooting and 4-of-4 free throws.

Dom Escobar kept up his stat sheet-stuffing ways in the sorry loss with his own near-triple-double of 14 points, 10 boards, 7 dimes and 5 steals in 37 minutes, while Kymani Ladi got checked to just 9 points on 2-of-13 shooting, also in 37 minutes on the floor.

The Scores

NU 71 – Figueroa 13, Francisco 13, Enriquez 12, John 11, Manansala 9, Santiago 7, Jumamoy 3, Palacielo 2, Garcia 1, Dela Cruz 0, Padrones 0, Tulabut 0, Parks 0.

Ateneo 66 – Lazo 17, Tuano 15, Escobar 14, Espinosa 10, Ladi 9, Ong 1, Bongo 0, Lazaro 0, Nieto 0, Espina 0, Gamber 0.

Quarters: 19-11, 34-22, 48-40, 61-61 (reg.), 71-66 (OT).

– Rappler.com