NU blows 18-point lead, escapes reeling Ateneo in Francisco-led OT thriller

Jake Figueroa and Paul Francisco pull off a heroic escape for top-ranked NU as Ateneo comes quick in its rally from 18 factors all the way down to fall to its third straight loss after a shock 4-0 begin

MANILA, Philippines – The NU Bulldogs went via a whirlwind of feelings to finish the UAAP Season 88 males’s basketball event after blowing an early 18-point lead, however finally escaping the reeling Ateneo Blue Eagles in a 71-66 additional time thriller on the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, October 18.

With the win, the Jeff Napa-coached squad rose to a momentary solo first report of 6-1, with 5-1 UST nonetheless taking part in the Adamson Hovering Falcons as of posting time, whereas Ateneo fell to a 4-3 slate to cap the primary spherical of eliminations after a stunning 4-0 begin.

High Bulldogs star Jake Figueroa flirted with a triple-double within the essential win, posting 13 factors, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and a couple of blocks in 39 minutes of motion for the Bulldogs, who noticed an early 30-12 lead disappear because the Eagles bought going within the second half.

The additional interval, nevertheless, was virtually an unique present for Fil-Canadian gunner Paul Francisco, who notched all 10 of NU’s additional time factors — 9 coming off three triples from his 4-of-6 whole clip from deep — for 13 markers general.

It was a downtown showdown within 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 factors on 4-of-9 threes, earlier than finally falling quick 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 time at 66-65 to complete with 15 factors on a near-perfect 5-of-6 taking pictures and 4-of-4 free throws.

Dom Escobar saved up his stat sheet-stuffing methods within the sorry loss together with his personal near-triple-double of 14 factors, 10 boards, 7 dimes and 5 steals in 37 minutes, whereas Kymani Ladi bought checked to simply 9 factors on 2-of-13 taking pictures, additionally in 37 minutes on the ground.

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