Fr Martin Cup: NU clamps down on Fatima for 56-47 win
Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) got a first-hand lesson in why the basketball axiom "Live by the three, die by the three," is so true.
Intimidated by National University's (NU) towering big men, combined withthe Bulldogs' persistent use of the zone defense, the Phoenix spent a solid part of their quarterfinal match throwing up three-pointers.
But OLFU's shooting abandoned them completely when they needed it the most, as the Bulldogs posted a 56-47 win on Saturday at the Trinity University of Asia Gym in the 8th Fr. Martin Collegiate Open Cup.
Our Lady of Fatima was pumped up entering the game and were even more raucous after Max Nsoga and Mark Aque opened with three-pointers. Another Nsoga triple made it an 11-5 lead, but shots by NU's Will Porter and Reden Celda kept the game close enough for big man Alfred Aroga to take over late. Aroga scored NU's last four points, enough to snatch a slim 16-14 lead.
The Phoenix began the second period the same way they started the first, as reserves Dexter Rosales and Michael Banaria joined the long-range party. Still, NU's bench, led by former College of St. Benilde Blazer Mark de Guzman, who scored seven, were converting at a more efficient rate, enough to extend their lead to four points at the break.
Celda made it a six-point margin on the first play of the third quarter, but a 12-2 run by Fatima turned the tide in favor of the Phoenix, as they enjoyed a 42-38 lead midway in the period.
Off a timeout, reserve point guard Robin Rono gave the Phoenix a taste of their own medicine, hitting a triple to make it a one-point game. However, both sides could only produce two more points each, as both teams began settling for the outside shot.
In the final quarter, De Guzman's and-one play put NU up by two, 46-44, with two minutes gone. Matt Villalon countered with a triple to regain the lead, but little did he know that his shot would be the only scoring play his side would produce in the fourth quarter.
After Villalon's triple, NU closed out the game with 10 unanswered points for the final cout. That said, Our Lady of Fatima still had their chances. The Bulldogs themselves seemed to have expended all their energy to produce those 10 markers, but there was still 2:46 left to play. Unfortunately for the Phoenix, they simply couldn't capitalize, closing out the game with four missed field goals, three of which were from beyond the arc.
Overall, 30 of the Phoenix's 47 points came from downtown.
De Guzman led NU with 13 points, the only Bulldog to reach double-digit scoring. Starters Reden Celda and Alfredo Aroga had eight apiece, and Robin Rono had a triple in each of the last two quarters as part of his seven points.
Max Nsoga had a game-high 14 points, but the first half catalyst for the Phoenix offense had just two points in the second half, zero in the fourth period. Nsoga went into the break limping slightly. Though he did play afterwards, his production clearly showed that he was affected by the injury.
Aque and Villalon combined for 18 to support Nsoga.
With the win, NU advances into the semifinal round, where they await the winner of the last quarterfinal match, to be held Tuesday, between the Arellano Chiefs and the University of the East Red Warriors.
The Bulldogs will face the winner of that game on Sunday, February 19, with a Finals berth at stake. — JVP, GMA News
Scores:
NU 56—De Guzman 13, Celda 8, Aroga 8, Rono 7, Porter 6, Betayene 4, Rosario 4, Villamor 3, Labing-isa 3
OLFU 47—Nsoga 14, Aque 9, Villalon 9, Lacastesantos 4, Jacinto 3, Rosales 3, Banaria 3, Rivera 2
Quarter scores: 16-14, 34-30, 43-44, 56-47.
Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/247693/sports/basketball/fr-martin-cup-nu-clamps-down-on-fatima-for-56-47-win
