The National University Bulldogs played a game of mismatch with the University of the Philippines Maroons' big men and won a resounding 74-70, decision yesterday in the start of the 66th UAAP Men's Basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Froilan Baguion and Bryan Tolentino asserted themselves in the closing minutes with crucial baskets which enabled the Bulldogs to gain a good headstart, following a successful summerlong campaign.

It was the Bulldogs third biggest win since beating La Salle for the ninth Fr. Martin Cup crown and the Philippine School of Business Administration Jaguars for a chance to earn a slot to the main draw of the Champions Legue.

Baguion's triple of a pass by Rey Mendoza with 1:36 left came on top of a decisive 7-0 run which allowed NU to break free from a 65-all deadlock.

This had the Bulldogs taking charge with a 72-65 edge, which they got after the Maroons' crumbled to four turnovers for some two minutes.

"We had problems with their mismatches that their big men were doing to Rey Mendoza. But we learned how to win and how to be resilient," said NU coach Rico Perez.

Tolentino drove in past 6'3 Maroon Nestor David with 12 ticks to go, and off Baguion's pass as the Bulldogs hung on to the lead with the game's last basket amidst UP's last ditch efforts.

Mendoza tallied 18 points, eight rebounds, two assists and four blocks for the Bulldogs while Alex Miclat chipped in 17 points, five rebounds and a block.

The loss spoiled the debut of the new coach Lito Vergara as, who was given the honor of handling the Maroons this year after steering the UP Integrated School Preps to their first ever junior crown.

The Maroons fought back off Ralph Jireh Ibanes' trey with 32 tick remaining to threathen by two, 70-72.

But Joesant Cervantes was caught on an offensive foul as he try to go for a drive with 3.1 seconds left.

They were last ahead off a three-point play from the 6'3 David, who got a feed from Cervantes and went past Marlon Mollena and Mendoza.

But a Miclat's trey with 7:33 left enabled the Bulldogs to regain the upperhand. A split free throw from Jason Malcontento with 6:36 to had the Bulldogs forcing one of the contest's two final deadlocks.