NU Bulldogs Secure Solo Lead with Narrow Victory over La Salle in UAAP Season 88

The NU Bulldogs climbed to the top of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball standings after a hard-fought 82-78 win against the La Salle Green Archers at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Sunday, October 12. Guard Reinhard Jumamoy was pivotal in the final moments, delivering a crucial defensive stop with just 12.1 seconds remaining before sinking two pressure-filled free throws with 3.1 seconds left to seal the victory.

With this win, NU improved to a 5-1 record as they prepare to face the Ateneo Blue Eagles in their last first-round game on October 18. The Green Archers, meanwhile, slipped to 2-3.

NU assistant coach Vic Ycasiano praised the team’s determination, stating, "We’d like to thank the boys for the way they played. They really wanted this win — even back in practice, you could see how focused and composed they were. When we entered this game, we knew they understood exactly what they had to do."

The Bulldogs appeared poised to pull away late after PJ Palacielo scored to give them a 76-70 lead with less than two minutes remaining. However, La Salle’s Jacob Cortez sparked a rally, narrowing the margin to 75-76 with a strong layup inside the final 14 seconds.

Following a missed free throw by NU’s Jake Figueroa, Jumamoy timely intercepted the rebound from La Salle’s Mike Phillips, a defensive play that shifted momentum. Paul Francisco then extended NU’s lead to 79-75 with two made free throws, but La Salle responded quickly with a three-pointer from Kean Baclaan with just 4.4 seconds on the clock.

Despite La Salle’s late surge, a critical turnover by rookie Lebron Daep in the backcourt dashed their hopes of overtime, allowing the Bulldogs to edge out the win.

Figueroa led NU with 18 points, shooting 7-of-10 from the field, and added eight rebounds. Palacielo contributed 16 points while Francisco added 13. Jumamoy finished with eight points, all in the final quarter.

For La Salle, Phillips was a standout with 15 points, 16 rebounds, and three steals. Cortez also added 15 points. Baclaan, playing his first game against his former team, delivered 11 points and six assists.

The Green Archers suffered a significant blow when key big man Mason Amos exited in the fourth quarter due to a knee injury sustained after a collision with NU’s Gelo Santiago. Amos had recorded seven points and four assists before being wheeled off the court.

Final Scores:

NU Bulldogs 82 — Figueroa 18, Palacielo 16, Francisco 13, Santiago 12, Jumamoy 8, Parks 6, Garcia 4, John 3, Manansala 2, Enriquez 0, Padrones 0, Reyes 0, Navarro 0

La Salle Green Archers 78 — Cortez 15, Phillips 15, Baclaan 11, Pablo 8, Amos 7, Gollena 6, Macalalag 5, Abadam 4, Daep 3, Dungo 2, Nwankwo 2, Melencio 0, Marasigan 0

Quarter Scores: 21-23, 40-40, 55-61, 82-78.