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Fri 29 March 2024

NU breaks 60-year spell, wins men’s basketball crown

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It took a full lifetime for history to repeat itself.

National University (NU) displayed clinical basketball, showing Filipino basketball fans how it is to win with a ragtag lineup as they captured their first men’s basketball crown in sixty years with a 75-59 dissection of Far Eastern University (FEU) in game three of the UAAP men’s basketball finals Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

“Never in my wildest dreams did this happen,” said an elated head coach Eric Altamirano, who got his first basketball crown as a basketball coach.

The dream happened for the Bulldogs as early as the second quarter of the winner-take-all, limiting the Tamaraws to only eight points in the quarter through its team defense.

The Bulldogs were towed by foreign student Alfred Aroga, who played as anchor of the Bulldogs’ charge in the first half with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

In the third quarter, Aroga showed excellent defense, blocking two successive shots in one instance.
But it was his teammates Gelo Alolino and Jess Diputado who blazed NU’s offense, scoring on an 8-0 run off quick baskets for a 49-35 separation.

MORE PHOTOS: National University Bulldogs’ historic championship game

FEU never recovered from that hole that despite a late application of their fullcourt press, they have managed to cut NU’s lead to single digit only once.

The Bulldogs then waylaid the Tamaraws in the fourth quarter with airtight interior defense and tenacious offensive rebounding, which was boosted by two unsportsmanlike fouls from FEU.

It was the same way NU routed FEU in game two of the finals and it was obvious that the Tamaraws failed to neutralize NU’s stonewall.

“After a pre-season game with a D-League team, which we won by a buzzer beater, I know there’s something special about this team. I can’t explain what it is. Maybe it’s their never-say-die spirit,” Altamirano said.

“Maybe this team is really special,” he quipped.

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Indeed, the NU was a singular unit throughout the game, with various players stepping up depending on the game’s
circumstances.

Aroga, named Finals MVP, led the way with 24 points, 18 rebounds, and two blocks while Gelo Alolino added 12 points and five rebounds.

In the second quarter though, it was Rodolfo Alejandro who started the period with two consecutive basket,including a booming block against Achie Inigo.

In the third quarter, Alolino and Diputado sank crucial triples and thereafter, Alejandro finished the quarter with a triple of his own and three-point play off a high-flying layup.

Forwards Glenn Khobuntin and Kyle Neypes then figured out in the fourth quarter, scoring five points apiece off hard drives to the basket.

After the final buzzer, the Sampaloc-based school of more or less 2,000 students has won its first men’s basketball trophy since 1954.

Incidentally, their 1954 crown was won at the expense of FEU.

On the other hand, the Tamaraws were led by their usual scorers in Mike Tolomia, who tallied 23 points and five steals, and Mac Belo who scored 17 points and hauled 13 boards. The duo, however, incurred ten turnovers for their team.

“They just really gave their best and there’s nothing to be ashamed of,” commented FEU’s head coach Nash Racela about his players.

On describing NU, Racela said that “they are consistent defensively and Aroga is really bigger and stronger.”
“I think, if we have a good 6’8” [or] 6’9” guy, we could match up well,” he said.

Still, the two-year coach commended NU as the “better team.”

“If you look at NU, they have that kind of discipline that even if they play blindfolded, they will know what to do. I think we lacked that kind of discipline,” he explained.

Even with the loss, the Tamaraws remain to be the most successful men’s basketball squad in the UAAP with 19 championships. Their last crown, however, was in 2005.

Since that year, FEU lost in three finals appearances: 2010, 2011, and 2014.

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Box scores:

NU 75 – Aroga 24, Alolino 12, Khobuntin 10, Alejandro 10, Neypes 8, Rosario 6, Diputado 5, Javelona 0, Betayene 0, Perez 0, Salim 0

FEU 59 – Tolomia 23, Belo 17, Dennison 6, Cruz 4, Jose 4, Inigo 3, Hargrove 2, Ri. Escoto 0, Ru. Escoto 0, Pogoy 0, Ugsang 0, Tamsi 0

Quarter scores: 20-18, 30-26, 55-44, 75-59

MORE ON NU’s CHAMPIONSHIP:

Team defense, collective spirit key to NU’s championship, says Coach Eric Altamirano

NU legends share historic moment with current Bulldogs

 The Dream Finals will change Philippine basketball

PHOTOS: National University Bulldogs’ historic championship game



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