By NIKOLE JAVIER
National University drew inspired games from two players with famous first names and added La Salle to its growing list of victims.
Both Steve Nash Enriquez and John Lloyd Clemente scored 16 points as the NU Bulldogs scored an 80-76 win over the La Salle Archers for their fourth straight win and fifth overall in six games in the in the UAAP Season 85 Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Bulldogs made their gallant move in the third that saw then inch closer by one before lowering the boom in the fourth en route to a sweet victory as they snapped their 10-game losing run to the Archers since October 28, 2015.
Named after the former NBA star from Canada, Enriquez finished with 4-of-7 shooting from deep,three rebounds, three assists, and a plus-14 rating in 23 minutes.
Clemente, who was named after a matinee idol, registered a double-double of 16 points and 10 boards while Omar John posted 15 points including 12 rebounds.
When Schonny Winston fouled out with still six minutes left, everything went in disarray for the Archers as the Bulldogs took control of the game.
With less than a minute to spare, Kevin Quiambao tried to make it a two a row from the 3-point arc, but this time he failed.
Clemente then iced the game at the foul line.
“Syempre sign of relief na nakahinga rin ako. It was a great game. We were down [in the] third quarter. We [had] to change our momentum, kumbaga para mapunta sa amin ‘yong way,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa.
It was the second straight disappointing defeats for Archers having lost to the UE Warriors also last week.
The scores:
NU 80 ‒ Clemente 16, Enriquez 16, John 15, Figueroa 12, Malonzo 6, Baclaan 5, Yu 4, Galinato 2, Manansala 2, Mahinay 2, Minerva 0, Tibayan 0, Palacielo 0, Tulabut 0, Padrones 0.
LA SALLE 76 ‒ Quiambao 15, M. Phillips 15, Nelle 14, Winston 12, Abadam 7, Nwankwo 4, Manuel 3, Estacio 3, Cortez 2, B. Phillips 1, Escandor 0.
Quarters: 23-17, 40-41, 61-63, 80-76.
