National University put the clamps on University of the East to earn a 68-49 victory and gain its third straight win in the UAAP Season 86 Men's Basketball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Wednesday.

The Red Warriors were ahead by two entering the second frame but the Bulldogs wreaked havoc on the defensive end, holding their foes to just four points while making 12 of their own for a 31-25 lead at the half.

NU then held UE scoreless in the first six minutes and 23 seconds of the third period to build a 53-36 advantage heading into the fourth.

After scoring 21 in the first frame, the Red Warriors only managed 28 in the remaining three quarters.

"In today's game, I'm at least 40 percent satisfied on their performance kasi nung first quarter we gave up 21 points right away eh, we're sending a wrong message sa kalaban so yun yung inaddress ko," said Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa on their defensive adjustment.

The Bulldogs, who rose to 5-1, strengthened their hold of the second spot, just behind unbeaten University of the Philippines.

Gambian center Omar John and Jake Figueroa tallied identical 12 points and 10 rebounds performances while PJ Palacielo added 12 points in 11 minutes and 44 seconds on the floor.

The Red Warriors absorbed their third consecutive defeat, also losing to Adamson University and Ateneo de Manila University, to drop to 2-4, still at sixth.

Nobody barged double figures in scoring for UE as Nigerian big man Precious Momowei struggled from the field, going just 3-of-15 for eight points while also grabbing 12 rebounds and getting two blocks. 

Red Warriors' two-and-through guard Gjerard Wilson is out for the rest of the season after suffering a shoulder injury in practice.

Both teams will be back on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. NU will open the day against Adamson at 12 p.m., while UE will battle De La Salle University at 4 p.m.

"Kailangan naming mag-ensayo ulit, may game kami sa Sabado. Hindi kami pwedeng mag-relax, we must shift our focus against Adamson, a very dangerous team because I know Coach Nash (Racela) is a very disciplined coach din," said Napa.

The Scores:

NU 68 – John 12, Figueroa 12, Palacielo 12, Lim 7, Baclaan 6, Enriquez 5, Jumamoy 5, Malonzo 5, Manansala 4, Yu 0, Galinato 0, Delos Reyes 0, Gulapa 0, Parks 0.

UE 49 – Momowei 8, Remogat 7, Sawat 7, Lingolingo 6, Fikes 6, Langit 4, Maglupay 3, Galang 2, Cruz-Dumont 2, Alcantara 2, Cabero 2, Tulabut 0, Gilbuena 0, Spandonis 0, Manalang 0.

Quarterscores: 19-21, 31-25, 53-36, 68-49