NATIONAL University is ready to regain its UAAP juniors crown.
Foiled in its bid for a back-to-back championship in the country’s premier league, NU fired a strong warning with a gutsy 58-52 win over De La Salle-Zobel to rule the 8th Smart-PCABL (Philippine Chinese Amateur Basketball League) Freego Cup on Saturday at Philippine Buddhacare Academy gym.
With John Clemente struggling, Justin Baltazar came through with huge plays down the stretch to complete NU’s come-from-behind win after falling behind by 10 points early in the game.
Baltazar finished with only nine points but hauled down 17 boards and made life difficult for DLSZ top gunner Aljun Melecio.
Melecio was held to just five points in the last two quarters of the tournament backed by Plastic Linoleum, Hapee Toothpaste, Insular Square (Cebu), Fed Seal, K TechSports Inc., and New Pioneer Auto Supply (Cebu).
NU’s win was a follow-up to its 76-71 semifinal win over UAAP tormentor Ateneo. It was also its 10th straight since the eliminations.
The Junior Archers advanced to the winner-take-all final match by crushing Malayan High School, 103-73, last Thursday.