Bullpups inch closer to elimination round sweep

By Anton Roxas Posted Aug 30th 2013

The dominance of National University in the Juniors basketball tournament of UAAP Season 76 continued on Friday, August 30, 2013 at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City as the Bullpups dismantled Adamson University, 70-41. With 11 wins and no defeats, NU is now just three victories away from an elimination round sweep.

A sweep would automatically give NU an outright Finals berth with a thrice-to-beat advantage. The last team to achieve an elimination round sweep in the Juniors division was Ateneo de Manila University in 2010 (UAAP Season 73).

Interestingly, Ateneo is currently in second place at 9-2 with an eight game winning streak. The Blue Eaglets held back a spirited rally by the University of the Philippines Integrated School to prevail, 73-69.

NU and Ateneo are figuring in a potential collision course as the Blue Eaglets are the last opponents on the Bullpups’ schedule. That matchup is scheduled on September 13, 2013. However, before these two teams face off, NU will have to play the University of the East and UPIS.

De La Salle-Zobel, who is currently at third place, defeated UE, 60-47 to improve their win-loss record to 7-4.

Defending champion Far Eastern University-Diliman scored a dramatic 44-42 win over the University of Sto. Tomas to gain solo fourth place at 6-5. JJ Domingo scored the game-winning basket for the Baby Tamaraws just before the end of regulation.

Box scores:

First game:

NU 70 – Cauilan 17, Cani 13, Dyke 9, Grealy 7, Claveria 7, Go 5, Mosqueda 4, Lopena 4, Castillo 2, Battad 2, Mina 0, Manalang 0, De Guzman 0.

AdU 41 – Quinga 10, Jamias 8, Nemenzo 7, Casino 5, Madriaga 4, Solomon 2, Munsayac 2, Beltran 2, Camacho 1, Villos 0, Navarro 0, Morelos 0, Mocorro 0, Magkalas 0, De Guzman 0, Agbong 0.

Quarter scoring: 21-7, 35-21, 52-26, 70-41.

Second game:

DLSZ 60 – Banzon 15, Subido 13, Maldinger 11, Sajulga 8, Cabarrus 8, Romero 2, Isaac 2, Melecio 1, Vizmonte 0, Quintos 0, Perez 0, Paraiso 0, Castro 0.

UE 47 – Briones 7, Antonio 7, Mohamad 6, Marata 6, Caduyac 6, Altamirano 6, Ceralde 5, Del Rosario 3, Garcia 1, Contorno 0.

Quarter scoring: 9-4, 27-21, 44-39, 60-47.

Third game:

FEU-Diliman 44 – Bienes 9, Escoto 7, Tabudlo 5, Lee 5, Domingo Jj. 5, Cano 5, Aquino 4, Domingo Js. 2, Completo 2, Runbaoa 0, Paglinawan 0, Lumba 0, Fajarito 0.

UST 42 – Dandan 13, Corre 6, Syyap 5, Salinas 5, Reyes 5, Laman 4, Raminez 2, Mayor 2, Marcelo 0, Borje 0, Berdijo 0.

Quarter scoring: 13-10, 17-20, 29-32, 44-42.

Fourth game:

ADMU 73 – Ravena 24, Black 15, Nieto Ma. 9, Salandanan 6, Joson 6, Ramos 4, Nieto Mi. 4, Mendoza 3, Jose 2, Mamuyac 0, Magpoc 0, Joson 0, Calilung 0.

UPIS 69 – Dario 25, General 10, Sablan 9, Gregorio 7, Pajarillaga 6, Chua 6, Lopez 3, Gomez De Liano 3, Vergeire 0, Santiago 0, Ragos 0, Labao 0.

Quarter scoring: 19-16, 37-29, 55-51, 73-69.