Aroga’s free throws tow NU to the Final Four, end UE’s magical run

Alfred Aroga made two pressure packed free throws with 12 seconds left in the game to carry the National University Bulldogs to the UAAP Final Four as they defeated the University of the East Red Warriors, 51-49, Saturday afternoon at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs built a seven-point lead with only three minutes left in the ball game but the Red Warriors, as they often did, fought back to get themselves in a position to score another upset.

UE had a golden chance of getting the final possession of the game as Paul VArilla grabbed a rebound but he traveled to give NU one more shot taking the lead. The Bulldogs made UE pay as Nico Javelona found Alfred Aroga open down low. The NU import went up for a shot and he was fouled by Charmes Mammie.

Not really known for being a good free throw shooter, Aroga made two picture-perfect shots to give NU the lead.

UE had one last shot completing their epic run to the Final Four but Bong Galanza missed on a three-point attempt. The buzzer sounded as the two squads fought for the rebound.

Glenn Khobuntin led the Bulldogs with 12 points and six rebounds including timely baskets late in the game.

Roi Sumang led UE with 19 points and four steals but NU’s defense forced him to give up the ball in the game’s last play. Bong Galanza added nine points but committed five turnovers. Mammi chipped in eight points and 14 rebounds.

UE started the game like a house on fire as they built a 9-0 lead to start the ball game. NU settled down and unleashed a counter 12-0 run to take the advantage. The Bulldogs held a 15-14 lead after the fist 10 minutes.

Both squads suffered from horrible shooting from the field in the second period as NU only scored 11 points in the quarter while UE had only seven for a 26-21 halftime count in favor of the Bulldogs.

The Red Warriors did not start that fourth quarter well as Moustapha Arafat was called for a technical foul for hitting a downed Alfred Aroga. Two free throws from Gelo Aloliono stretched NU’s lead to nine at 40-31.

UE, however, unleashed a 6-0 run capped by a fast break reverse layup from Roi Sumang to cut NU’s lead down to three at 40-37.

The Bulldogs went for the kill late in the fourth quarter as a mid-range jumper from Khobutnin and a fast break layup from Aroga gave them a 49-42 lead with only 3:16 left in the game.

Sumang’s three-point play off Alolino’s fifth foul kept UE in the game and the high-scoring point guard added a triple with 1:16 left to cut NU’s lead down to a single point at 49-48.

UE tied the ball game with 37 seconds left in the game as Chris Javier only managed a split from the free throw line.

The Warriors were able to stop NU’s go-ahead attempt but Varilla traveled after grabbing the rebound. NU went to Aroga after getting the basket back and he was fouled by Charles Mammie leading to two made free throws and a 51-49 advantage for the Bulldogs.

With the win, the Bulldogs set-up a Final Four battle against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, who are holding a twice-to-beat advantage.

The Main Man: Khobuntin stepped up as the leader NU needed in the fourth quarter. He scored six points in the final quarter to help the Bulldogs escape with a win.

Honorable Mentions: Troy Rosario added nine points and nine rebounds in the game while Gelo Alolino chipped in seven points and five rebounds before fouling out. Aroga only had seven points and eight rebounds but he scored the most important baskets for NU.

Game Turning Point: The result of the game was still up in the air when Galanza released a three-point attempt. It fell short, so did UE’s late bid to make it to the Final four.

He Said It:

NU head coach Eric Altamirano: We knew that they were going to to Sumang. We wanted to make him give up the ball. We doubled him and forced him to give up that ball. It’s a different ball game in the Final Four. I know we beat Ateneo twice but their confidence is very high. We just have to be ready.

NU Bulldog Glenn Khobuntin: Kailangan naming lumaban kasi pinaghirapan naming ito. Ginawa naming yung best naming para sa coaches at sa mga tao na sumusuporta sa amin.

The scores:

NU 51: Khobuntin 12, Rosario 9, Alolino 7, Aroga 7, Javelona 6, Betayene 4, Alejandro 3, Perez 2, Diputado 1, Celda 0, Neypes 0.

UE 49: Sumang 19, Galanza 9, Mammie 8, Varilla 5, Javier 5, Arafat 2, Guiang 1, Alberto 0, Olayon 0, De Leon 0, Palma 0, Jumao-as 0.

Quarters: 15-14, 26-21, 38-31, 51-49.