Kenshin Padrones made a living inside the shaded lane as the NU Bulldogs scored a much-needed win to close out round 1 of Season 87 against Ateneo.
The deadly, winning bite is back for the NU Bulldogs.
Kenshin Padrones made a living inside and spearheaded a gritty 78-68 Bulldogs thumping of the Ateneo Blue Eagles in their UAAP Season 87 round 1 clash at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, October 5.
Padrones churned in a team-leading 18 points and six rebounds, at forefront of NU's shredding Ateneo’s interior defense as they took a 36-16 advantage in points in the paint.
Jake Figueroa added an all-around game of 15 points, seven rebounds, and four assists for NU in a game marred by a combined 48 fouls and 42 free-throw attempts for both teams.
After making the Finals Four last season, NU just picked up its second win this season, ending the first round with a 2-5 mark.
While the Bulldogs were mostly in control, the Blue Eagles actually cut NU’s once 14-point lead to just five points at 58-63, starting strong in the final frame behind the hot-shooting of Andrew Bongo and Kyle Gamber.
But the Bulldogs countered with a decisive 8-0 blast, capped by a Jake Figueroa drive to bring back their lead to twin digits, 71-58, with under three minutes left to play.
Ateneo was able to get closer at NU for one more comeback attempt after rookie Jared Bahay drained a triple to make it 66-74, but birthday boy Ian Manansala answered back with a short stab for a 76-66 lead with just 67 ticks are left on the clock.
The Blue Eagles suffered their third successive setback and share the worst-record with FEU at 1-6.
Bongo put up 17 points in a losing effort for the Blue Eagles, while Bahay chipped in 15 markers and four dimes.