Even with its main man struggling, National University still stopped streaking La Salle in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday.
Figueroa scored just five points, sinking only two of his nine tries from the field. Still, he managed to snag eight rebounds, six assists and six steals to help the Bulldogs stay atop the standings with an 8-2 card.
For NU coach Jeff Napa shrugged off Figueroa’s offensive woes as long as they win.
‘Sometimes, you can’t help but get off nights but it’s his presence that’s very crucial for us,’ Napa said in Filipino.
‘Let’s say he couldn’t shoot tonight. He was still a leader who was willing to take shots and risks. His teammates don’t lose trust in him even if he misses his first shot. We still tell him to keep shooting. He even apologized to me and I said, ‘di mo kailangan mag-sorry.”
Others picked up the slack with Figueroa not his usual self. Mark Parks stepped up, scoring seven points, including a crucial basket that allowed the Bulldogs to snap the Green Archers’ winning run at four.
La Salle, shorthanded and all without key cogs Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan, refused to go down without a fight, pulling within five with 1:05 remaining after trailing by as many as 13.
Steve Nash Enriquez paced the Bulldogs with 16 points while Paul Francisco, despite fouling out, finished with 14 points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting game.
La Salle guard Jacob Cortez had 16, while forward Mike Phillips notched a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.