NU sweeps Ateneo for juniors crown

Champion – NU BullPups pic.twitter.com/0ErzWfbXY1

— Pong Ducanes (@ompongski) October 9, 2013

MANILA, Philippines — National University annexed its second juniors title in the last 3 years after sweeping Ateneo de Manila University in the 76th UAAP juniors basketball finals Wednesday, October 9 at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Bullpups downed the Blue Eaglets in Game 2 of the championship round, 81-74, to post their 16th straight win and complete a sweep of the entire tournament.

Finals MVP Hubert Cani fired 25 points and issued 6 assists in leading NU to the crown they relinquished in Season 75 to Far Eastern University, who finished 3rd this year.

Mythical Team member John Cauilan added 18 points and 15 rebounds while Carlos Lopena and Enzo Battad came up big with a combined 19 markers spiked by 3 triples to power the Bullpups.

Both squads battled toe-to-toe through the first 33 minutes before Cani sparkled late as the Sampaloc-based squad built a 74-66 cushion with 4:34 remaining.

Ateneo tried to battle back behind league MVP Thirdy Ravena and trimmed it to 74-72 with over two minutes on the clock, but a triple by Battad with 1:18 left followed by two free-throws by Cani sealed the deal for NU.

Ravena made 11 of 18 shots from within the arc to post 27 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists even as Jolo Mendoza rifled in 4 3-pointers and wounded up with 15 markers.

The scores:

NU (81) – Cani 25, Cauilan 18, Lopena 10, Battad 9, Dyke 8, Mosqueda 6, Go 5, Manalang 0, Lapiz 0, Grealy 0, Claveria 0, Castillo 0

Ateneo (74) – Ravena 27, Mendoza 15, Black 12, Mk Nieto 10, Mt Nieto 6, Magpoc 2, Calilung 2, Salandanan 0, Ramos 0, Joson 0, Escaler 0

Quarters: 27-20, 40-38, 63-58, 81-74 – Rappler.com