NATIONAL University spoiled Ateneo’s bid for a perfect season as the Bullpups posted a 76-72 upset in Game 1 of the UAAP juniors basketball Finals yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Mark Dyke buried 20 points and hauled down 17 rebounds to power the Bullpups past the Blue Eaglets, who absorbed their first loss after a 14-0 sweep of the elimination round.
John Clemente fired 17 points and Philip Manalang also shot 14 as the Bullpups erected leads as high as 14 points, 45-31, before arresting the Eaglets’ repeated rallies.
“We executed our game plan,” said NU coach Jeff Napa. “The players regained their confidence.”
Game 2 is set at 2 p.m. on Tuesday also in San Juan.
The Bullpups, who are vying to overcome the Eaglets’ thrice-to-beat advantage, need to win two more games to complete their back-to-back title bid.
If the Bullpups go all the way, NU will become the first school since 1994 to sweep all three divisions.
The Bulldogs ended a 60-year title drought in men’s action, while the Lady Bulldogs completed a perfect 16-0 season for their first women’s crown.
MVP Mike Nieto paced the Eaglets with 25 points, 18 coming from three-point range, while his twin Matt added 19 points.
The Eaglets came within a point, 60-59, in the final quarter, but the Bullpups responded with a 6-0 spurt to keep distance.
The Eaglets jumped straight to the Finals and earned a huge thrice-to-beat bonus as incentive for sweeping the eliminations.
The scores:
NU 76—Dyke 20, Clemente 17, Manalang 14, Sta. Ana 6, Ferreras 6, Atienza 5, Baltazar 3, Mina 3, Saquian 2, Calma 0, De Guzman 0, Claveria 0, Camaso 0, Callejo 0.
ATENEO 72—Mi. Nieto 25, Ma. Nieto 19, Mendoza 14, Mamuyac 5, Andrade 5, Joson 4, Ildefonso 0, Ramos 0, Hassan 0, Salandanan 0, Eustaquio 0.
Quarters: 19-19, 36-31, 56-49, 76-72