National University remained invincible until the very last buzzer, fending off Adamson University in the finals, 73-64, to cap off its title sweep in the 2024 ANTA Asiabasket International Championship on Tuesday, July 16, at the Enderun Colleges, BGC.

The Bulldogs seized the throne without dropping any single game, going undefeated in the group stage with an impressive 4-0 record before dominating San Beda in the quarterfinals and Far Eastern University in the semis.

The wards of head coach Jeff Napa turned a 42-32 halftime lead to a 52-34 advantage in the third period with Jolo Manansala heating up on the offense. Adamson tried to mount a comeback with a 9-0 blast of its own, but still, NU enjoyed a 63-50 cushion before heading to the fourth.

Emman Anabo and Joshua Yerro pumped life back to Adamson by knocking down a triple each to cut the deficit to a single digit, 68-59.

But the Soaring Falcons could not maximize the momentum and the brief absence of Manansala, who went down in the 7:21 mark due to cramps, as Steve Nash Enriquez’s three-pointer proved to be the dagger for the Bulldogs.

Manansala’s breakout game saw him top-scoring NU with 18 points while Enriquez hammered out 14 markers en route to bagging the Finals MVP honors.

In the battle for third place, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde wasted an early lead but hung tough in the endgame to pull off an 84-77 victory against the undermanned Far Eastern University.

The Blazers were able to establish a 13-point cushion early in the game, but the Tamaraws, who were missing the services of rookie star Veejay Pre, managed to stage a fightback with Janrey Pasaol and Luke Felipe scoring a triple each to power an 8-0 run that gave them a 77-74 advantage.

But Benilde regrouped, retaking an 81-77 cushion thanks to back-to-back buckets from Ian Torres and Anton Eusebio and a corner triple from Matthew Oli.

Mental lapses proved costly for FEU with Pasaol committing four straight turnovers that allowed the Blazers to close out the game, which Eusebio sealed with a booming three-pointer from the top of the key.

Eusebio top-scored Benilde with 15 points laced with three rebounds, four assists, and one steal while Joshua Cajucom churned out 14 markers, two boards, two dimes, one steal, and one block as Benilde reached the podium.

Without Pre, Mohammed Konateh paced FEU with a monster double-double of 21 points and 21 rebounds alongside six blocks, two assists, and two steals.

Pre led the ANTA Asiabasket International Championship 1st Team, which also included AJ Fransman of Adamson, Jonathan Nchekwube of NFU, Jake Figueroa of NU, and his teammate Pasaol.

THE SCORES:

BATTLE FOR THIRD:
Benilde Blazers (84) – Eusebio 15, Cajucom 14, Turco 11, Morales 11, Torres 9, Oli 9, Serrano 6, Victoria 5, Nacua 2, Galas 2, Jalalon 0, Vanguardia 0.

FEU Tamaraws (77) – Konateh 21, Daa 14, Felipe 13, Bagunu 13, Pasaol 9, Montemayor 5, Ona 2, Alfonsus 0, Taboctaboc 0, Jones 0, Beato 0.

FINALS:
NU Bulldogs (73) – Manansala 18, Enriquez 14, Diassana 8, Yu 7, Francisco 6, Lim 5, Padrones 5, Jumamoy 3, Garcia 2, Palacielo 2, Perciano 2, John 1, Santiago 0.

Adamson Soaring Falcons (64) – Yerro 11, Manzano 11, Anabo 10, Fransman 8, Competente 8, Erolon 7, Barcelona 4, Gaye 3, Torres 2, Ignacio 0, Calisay 0, Cañete 0, Edding 0, Ronzone 0.