NU outplays Ateneo, clinches twice-to-beat in historic win

National University finally achieved what no other Bulldogs team has done since the advent of the Final Four format.

With forward Dennice Villamor and Cameroon center Sean Mbe taking the cudgels in the crunch, NU secured the first twice-to-beat edge in the semifinals with a 70-65 victory against reigning five-time titlist Ateneo Wednesday night in the UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball tournament at the MOA Arena.

Reigning two-time league MVP Ray Parks led all scorers with 24 points but it was the combined exploits of Villamor and Cameroon center Sean Mbe, who combined for 14 markers in the crunch, that enabled the Bulldogs to tie Far Eastern U at the top of the eight-team field with identical 10-4 records.

More than gaining a fitting follow-up to a 64-54 win in their initial meeting with the Blue Eagles last June 30, the Bulldogs also clinched the coveted twice-to-beat incentive for the first time since the league implemented the Final Four format in 1994. It was also the first time that NU has won 10 games in the elimination round.

If NU, Far Eastern University (10-4) and De La Salle (9-4) end up in a three-way tie for first, the Bulldogs clinch the top seed. If La Salle loses to UST, FEU clinches the top seed and NU secures the second seed.

Athletic rookie Chris Newsome single-handedly carried the fight for Ateneo in the payoff canto where he pumped in 13 of his 17 points but still failed to prevent the Blue Eagles from slipping to fifth with a 7-6 record.

Ateneo faces a must-win situation in their crucial match against fourth-running University of Santo Tomas (7-5) on Sept. 18.

The Main Man: NU didn’t have to rely too much on Ray Parks when the game was on the line.

Dennice Villamor proved he can also deliver when the Bulldogs needed him the most, tallying all but two of his nine points in the fourth period, highlighted by a dagger of a triple that gave them a 68-63 cushion going to the final 22.2 seconds.
 
Honorable Mentions: Also coming up big in the stretch was Cameroon import Sean Mbe, who also scattered seven of his 14 markers while providing the needed inside presence for the Bulldogs.

The 6-foot-6 Mbe also hauled down 12 rebounds laced by two assists, a block and a steal.

Parks, meanwhile, started the offensive tear for the Bulldogs, scoring 13 of the team’s 21-point output in the first 10 minutes.
 
Game Turning Point: After the Blue Eagles pulled within 63-65 off Chris Newsome’s made free throws, the Bulldogs had the perfect response, with Villamor drilling in a booming triple at the left corner off a Ray Parks feed, time down to just 22.2 seconds.

Ateneo, however, clawed back as Newsome drained two more charities and even had the chance to tie the game, only to see a Juami Tiongson triple hitting just the front of the rim and enabling NU to pull through.
 
He Said It:
NU coach Eric Altamirano: “We are very humbled with this victory. This is the first time we are in this position. I told our guys before the game that we lost a tough game against La Salle. We felt bad about it. But we found out we are still number one and still had the opportunity to get the twice-to-beat (edge). We just took advantage of it.”
 
The scores:
NU (70) - Parks 24, Mbe 17, Villamor 9, Alejandro 5, Khobuntin 4, Alolino 4, Porter 3, Javelona 3, Rono 1, Rosario 0, Javillonar 0.

Ateneo (65) - Newsome 17, Tiongson 8, Elorde 8, Pessumal 7, Buenafe 7, Golla 4, Ravena 3, Tolentino 0, Capacio 0.
Quarterscores: 21-18, 33-29, 49-45, 70-65.