NU posts to first win in UAAP Finals since 1954 to force winner-take-all Game three

Far Eastern University’s Anthony Hardgrove and Alfred Aroga of the National University battle for ball possession of Game 2 of the UAAP best-of-three finals series yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum. (Inquirer Photo)

The National University (NU) Bulldogs lived to fight another day after they routed the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 62-47, in Game 2 of the best-of-three finals series in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

In front of the biggest basketball crowd in Araneta Coliseum’s history, the Bulldogs unleashed the league-best defense that has terrorized the rest of the UAAP this year, thwarting FEU’s high-octane offense en route to bagging their first win in the finals since 1954.

More importantly, the Bulldogs forged a deciding Game 3 as they the two finalists for all the marbles in Game 3 slated October 15.

Versatile forward Troy Rosario sparked NU’s uprising with nine of his 19 points in the first period, outscoring the Tamaraws all by himself as FEU managed just six to trail, 6-18. Rosario added 14 rebounds to make up for an injury-riddled performance during the series opener.

But FEU came storming back and pulled to within six, 40-46, behind consecutive baskets by Mythical Five member Mac Belo, Mike Tolomia and a tip-in by Cebuano Roger Pogoy, with less than five minutes to go in the game.

Guard Gelo Alolino restored order for the Bulldogs, sinking two three-pointers, the last one breaking the backs of FEU as NU surged to a 56-44 lead.

Glenn Khobuntin tallied 17 points and five boards while Alolino finished with 12 points and seven boards for the Bulldogs.

Belo led the way for the Tamaraws with 17 points while Tolomia, the lynchpin of FEU’s Game 1 75-70 win, had 15 but shot a miserable 6-of-19 from the field.

FEU’s shock troopers, namely Pogoy, Carl Cruz and Anthony Hargrove, did not fare any better, making just two of their 18 attempts from the field.