Bullpups outlast Eaglets in overtime to sweep elims

By Anton Roxas Posted Sep 14th 2013

The National University Bullpups edged the Ateneo de Manila Eaglets, 82-81, in overtime to complete an elimination round sweep in the Juniors basketball tournament of UAAP Season 76 on Friday, September 13, 2013 at the Blue Eagle Gym inside the ADMU campus in Quezon City.

With 2.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Ateneo de Manila University center Mike Nieto stood at the free-throw line and calmly sank both charities to tie the game up at 71. The NU Bullpups called a timeout and an alley-op play intended for Mark Dyke was devised. But, the play was ready perfectly by the Eaglets, as they disrupted the pass to force the game into overtime.

Hubert Cani opened up the extra session by draining a long jumper. The Eaglets responded with a 6-0 run to take a 77-73 lead with 3:19 to go. Shortly afterwards, NU unleashed an 8-0 run capped off by a three-point play by Dyke. At that point, the Bullpups held an 82-79 lead with 48.1 seconds remaining.

Thirdy Ravena would score the last basket for Ateneo to cut the deficit to a single point. With one last defensive stand, the Eaglets forced NU’s Manuel Mosqueda to throw a bad pass that was intercepted by Matthew Nieto. The Ateneo point guard quickly raced up the court but missed on a wild drive. He corralled his own miss and was fouled on a put back attempt with 2.4 seconds to go. However, he suffered from cramps and was unable to shoot what could have been the game-winning free throws. Jose Mendoza came in to replace Nieto and missed on both attempts, igniting the NU celebration.

NU Head Coach Jeff Napa and his young wards earned an automatic Finals berth with a thrice-to-beat advantage.

Ateneo finished the elimination round in second place with an 11-3 win-loss record. The Eaglets will be armed with a twice-to-beat advantage once they face the winner of the matchup between number three seeded De La Salle-Zobel (9-5) and defending champion Far Eastern University-Diliman.

The Baby Tamaraws defeated the Junior Archers 66-47 to finish in fourth place with an 8-6 record.

Box scores:

First game:

UE 51 – Caduyac 17, Briones 17, Dagunan 7, Altamirano 4, Ceralde 3, Mohamad 2, Antonio 1, Peňalosa 0, Marata 0, Guttierez 0, Gonzales 0, Garcia 0, Del Rosario 0, Correche 0, Contorno 0.

UST 48 – Dandan 13, Reyes 8, Syyap 6, Salinas 6, Laman 5, Ramirez 3, Berdijo 3, Mayor 2, Corre 2, Santos 0, Marcelo 0, Dela Serna 0.

Quarter scoring: 13-15, 29-24, 42-35, 51-48.

Second game:

UPIS 60 – Dario 25, Sablan 8, Pajarillaga 6, Gomez De Liano 6, Chua 6, General 4, Gregorio 3, Ragos 2, Vergeire 0, Lopez 0, Labao 0, Jimenez 0.

AdU 57 – Quinga 12, Munsayac 9, Beltran 8, Navarro 6, Jamias 6, De Guzman 6, Nemenzo 4, Casiňo 3, Camacho 2, Magkalas 1, Villos 0, Madriaga 0, Agbong 0.

Quarter scoring: 15-10, 25-16, 43-29, 60-57.

Third game:

NU 82 – Cauilan 23, Cani 21, Dyke 18, Battad 10, Mosqueda 7, Manalang 3, Lopena 0, Lapiz 0, Go 0, Claveria 0, Castillo 0.

ADMU 81 – Ravena 24, Nieto Mi. 16, Nieto Ma. 14, Mendoza 10, Black 10, Escaler 7, Salandanan 0, Ramos 0, Magpoc 0, Joson 0, Calilung 0.

Quarter scoring: 12-21, 32-42, 55-54, 71-71, 82-81.

Fourth game:

FEU-Diliman 66 – Domingo Jj. 22, Escoto 11, Bienes 8, Domingo Js. 6, Tabudlo 4, Lumba 4, Completo 4, Paglinawan 3, Lee 2, Aquino 2, Rumbaoa 0, Harrow 0, Comboy 0, Cano 0, Ardiente 0.

DLSZ 47 – Subido 19, Banzon 8, Sajulga 5, Paraiso 5, Maldinger 3, Isaac 3, Quintos 2, Cabarrus 2, Vizmonte 0, Romero 0, Perez 0, Melecio 0, Castro 0, Abanilla 0.
Quarter scoring: 13-8, 28-22, 47-33, 66-47.