MANILA, Philippines – The NU Bullpups continued their mastery of the UAAP Season 78 juniors basketball tournament by dominantly defeating the De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers, 78-58, in Game 1 of the finals on Friday, February 19, at the San Juan Arena.
NU used its height advantage and superb defense to beat Zobel a third time this season and move to 15-0 overall.
The thrice-to-beat Bullpups now stand a win away from the championship. Game 2 is scheduled for next Friday, February 26.
Leaders John Lloyd Clemente and Justine Baltazar led the way for the winners. Clemente dropped 16 points and grabbed 8 boards, while the 6-foot-7 Baltazar posted 15 points, 27 boards, and 4 blocks.
De La Salle star Aljun Melecio struggled, shooting just 6-of-21 for 15 points plus 7 boards and 6 assists.
NU shot just 36% but won the rebounding battle, 57-34. The Bullpups also shot 22-of-28 from the free throw line, while the Junior Archers posted just 5-of-9 from the charity stripe.
The Junior Archers went only 37% from the field and hit 5-of-21 from downtown.
The Bullpups went on a late rally to end the first quarter ahead 22-13, and didn’t look back the rest of the way.
Scores:
NU (78): Clemente 16, Baltazar 15, Penano 12, Sarip 7, Manalang 5, Jugar 5, Atienza 4, Tolentino 4, Callejo 3, Beldua 3, Amsaii 2, Coyoca 2, Fortea 0, Careng 0, Mosqueda 0
DLSZ (58): Melecio 15, Sario 10, romero 10, Mariano 8, Fortuna 6, Cabarrus 4, Sobrevega 3, Paraiso 2, Tongco 0, Francisco 0, Rabat 0
Quarter scores: 22-13, 40-22, 62-39, 78-58 – Rappler.com
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