Bulldogs escape Archers in OT for solo second

MANILA, Philippines -- The NU Bulldogs secured the solo second spot in the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball after holding on against the La Salle Green Archers, 80-77, in overtime Sunday afternoon at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

With the game tied at 69 following an inside stab by Michael Phillips, Patrick Yu scored five straight points off a 3-pointer and a floater as the Bulldogs grabbed a 74-69 lead with 1:51 remaining.

Free throws gave NU a 77-70 lead with less than a minute remaining.
In contrast, missed freebies by La Salle made it harder for them to claw back.

However, the Archers trimmed the lead to three, 77-74, following straight field goals from Mark Nonoy and Phillips.

A layup by NU's Jake Figueroa gave them a 79-74 lead.

Evan Nelle, however, hit a triple to cut the lead to two, 77-79.
A split by Kean Baclaan from charity set the final score, as Nonoy missed a heave.

The game was too close to call for most part.

The two teams were kept in deadlocks at the half, after the third quarter and after regulation.

La Salle had a three-point lead in regulation, but Figueroa hit a corner 3 to knot things at 67 with 48 seconds left.

Phillips had the opportunity to take the lead for La Salle, but he missed both free throws with 12.5 seconds remaining.

Figueroa finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals for NU.

Kevin Quiambao, meanwhile, posted a near double-double with 25 points and nine rebounds.

"Nakatsamba kami. Nakatsamba kasi La Salle is very strong... Hindi bumitaw itong young men," NU head coach Jeff Napa said. 

"Total team effort, and everybody stepped up to the challenge," he added. 

With the win, NU is now holding a 4-1 win-loss slate.

La Salle, meanwhile, dropped to third place with a 3-2 record.