National University took down also-ran University of Santo Tomas, 76-65, to stay in the running for a twice-to-beat incentive in the coming UAAP Season 86 Men's Basketball Final Four, Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs stayed tied with University of the Philippines atop the team standings at 10-2.

Down 15 entering the fourth quarter, Christian Manaytay and Nic Cabañero pulled the Growling Tigers within 11 with back-to-back baskets with 6:54 left, 46-57.

However, that would be their last hurrah as Kean Baclaan and Omar John linked up for the Bulldogs to establish an 18-point lead with 4:39 to go, 66-48.

"Medyo relaxed nung first half so nung second half we tried to convince the players na that's not the way we treat the game so medyo binago namin yung approach, binalik namin yung usual," said NU head coach Jeff Napa.

As usual, NU boasted its balanced offense with Patrick Yu adding 12 points, four rebounds, and four assists, PJ Palacielo registering 10 points, Reinhard Jumamoy getting nine points, and John Galinato chipping in eight points.

Omar John, the Senegalese center of the Bulldogs, grabbed 15 rebounds to pari with his six points.

"Kinailangan lang namin mag bounce back sa second half kasi hindi yun yung gusto naming ilaro nung first half. Kailangan talaga namin maging composed nung second half kasi hindi naman basta basta yung UST," said Baclaan, who produced 13 points and five assists.

Up next for NU will be Adamson University on Wednesday before its showdown with UP to close the eliminations.

Meanwhile, the Growling Tigers skidded to their fifth straight defeat to fall to 1-11.

Manaytay had 14 points, five rebounds, three steals, and a block in the losing cause. Cabañero contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds but struggled from the field, going 5-of-19 including 1-of-10 from deep.

UST will end its run against UP on Wednesday and Far Eastern University next Saturday.

The Scores:

NU 76 – Baclaan 13, Yu 12, Palacielo 10, Jumamoy 9, Galinato 8, John 6, Manansala 6, Figueroa 5, Malonzo 4, Lim 3, Casinillo 0, Parks 0, Padrones 0, Delos Reyes 0, Gulapa 0.

UST 65 – Manaytay 14, Cabañero 13, Moore 8, Duremdes 6, Manalang 5, Laure 5, Pangilinan 5, Ventulan 3, Calum 2, Crisostomo 2, Llemit 2, Lazarte 0, Magdangal 0, Esmena 0.

Quarterscores: 20-16, 35-28, 53-38, 76-65