The National University Bulldogs dealt the Far Eastern University its first loss of Season 76 of the UAAP Men’s Basketball Tournament with the final score at 59-58 during the game held on Wednesday, August 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
FEU superstar Terrence Romeo committed some crucial errors that cost the Tamaraws its first loss of the season. The Tamaraws looked poised to steal the game from the Bulldogs but they missed their chances to stay unbeaten.
Former UAAP MVP Ray Parks emerged as the hero of the game despite playing limited limits in the first half due to foul trouble after sinking 3 free throws in the final minutes that proved to be the (–foul word(s) removed–)urance baskets for the National University Bulldogs.
Bulldogs’ top defender Porter put up a stingy defense against Terrence Romeo, one of the MVP contender to a woeful 8 points on a 3 of 6 shooting from the field.
Meanwhile the NU found Geno Alolino the unlikely offensive player who topscored for the Bulldogs with 13 points as Jean Mbe and Glenn Khobuntin added 10 markers apiece. NU now has 5 wins and 3 losses while FEU still stays on top with a 7-1 record.
The scores:
NU 59 – Alolino 13, Mbe 10, Khobuntin 10, Parks 7, Villamor 4, Rono 4, Porter 4, Perez 4, Javillonar 2, Alejandro 1, Javelona 0, De Guzman 0
FEU 58 – Garcia 20, Tolomia 8, Romeo 8, Cruz 6, Belo 5, Mendoza 4, Hargrove 3, Inigo 2, Pogoy 2, Sentcheu 0, Jose 0, Dennison 0, Aguilon 0
Quarter-scoring: 17-17, 31-25, 50-43, 59-58