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UAAP: NU vs UP round one preview and live-scoring


 
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The National University Bulldogs look to avoid an upset at the hands of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, when these two teams meet on Sunday at the MOA Arena.

Despite holding their foes to a 27.9 percent shooting clip, the NU Bulldogs (2-1) were still in favor of suffering another come-from-behind loss to the UST Growling Tigers, similar to their game last weekend against the UE Red Warriors. Part of the problem is their middle-of-the-pack percentage at the free throw line. They're fifth in the UAAP shooting a 64.2 percent clip, and against UST Wednesday, they were just 10-of-20 in the second half, allowing the Growling Tigers to claw back late.

Another aspect the Bulldogs will need to look out for is their bench production, a category the team is currently ranked second-to-the-last in, with 16.3 points from their reserves per game. Part of the problem has been Alfred Aroga being ruled out, but they need more from the likes of Troy Rosario, Glenn Khobuntin and Jay Alejandro. That trio accounts for 13.3 of their bench points, and the former two need to give Emmanuel Mbe more of a breather by scoring when their center hits the pine.

The UP Fighting Maroons (0-3) on the other hand find themselves with a familiar problem - an inability to stop anyone, as they currently give up the most number of points (83.3), the best field goal percentage to their opponents (43.9 percent), and the most points in the paint (42.7).

However, in their last game against FEU, scoring also turned out to be a problem, as their main gun, Joseph Marata, was held to just four points, after norming 20.5 markers coming in. With Marata shackled to just a 1-of-8 clip, no other Maroon was able to step up in his absence, as Raul Soyud was the squad's best scorer, with a mere 10 markers. The team as a whole managed just 57 all-in-all in the loss.

Game starts at 2pm.


Previous assignments -

NU Bulldogs - NU bounces back, deals UST first loss of the season

UP Fighting Maroons - FEU manhandles UP, stays undefeated at 3-0


Season 75 history lesson:

Round one - Bulldogs bounce back, blast Maroons

Round two - NU survives UP, dooms Maroons to one-win season