UAAP: National U hands Adamson 36-point beatdown to stay hot

National University’s Tebol Garcia against Adamson University in UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball. UAAP Media.MANILA — National University stayed hot after dismantling Adamson University, 79-43, in UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball on Saturday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Katipunan.

The Bulldogs stretched their winning streak to four games after leading by as many as 36 points, with National U overtaking University of the Philippines atop the standings by virtue of its head-to-head win and improving to six victories in eight appearances.

Tebol Garcia led the way with 14 points, six assists, five rebounds, and two steals for NU, which unleashed a 20-to-5 surge in the second period and never looked back.

“Our players executed well yung game plan namin,” said NU head coach Jeff Napa, as his squad handed Adamson its biggest loss in 12 years, or since the Bulldogs dominated the Soaring Falcons, 62-25, in UAAP Season 77 in 2014.

DJ Laconsay also stepped up with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc, while PJ Palacielo totaled 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists.

The Soaring Falcons, on the other hand, briefly led, 16-12, in the first period before Laconsay and Kenshin Padrones sparked a strong finishing kick that gave the Bulldogs a 20-19 advantage heading into the second quarter.

Emman Anabo led Adamson with 11 points, but he was the lone Falcon in twin digits as they absorbed their fourth loss in eight outings, tied with Ateneo de Manila University, Far Eastern University, University of Santo Tomas, and De La Salle University for the third to seventh places.

NU 79 — Garcia 14, Palacielo 12, Laconsay 9, Reyes 8, Alfanta 8, Diasana 6, Padrones 5, Francisco 5, Jumamoy 4, Cartel 3, Miranda 3, Perciano 2, Figueroa 0, Solomon 0, Serrano 0.

Adamson 43 — Anabo 11, Montebon 8, Edding 7, Torres 5, Medina 5, Jonah 4, Canete 3, Perez 0, Tumaneng 0, Erolon 0, Mangaron 0, Demisina 0, Pacquiao 0.

Quarterscores: 20-19, 40-24, 63-34, 79-43.