National University showed its readiness for the coming UAAP season by downing Ateneo, 79-66, even as Hope Christian High School beat long-time rival Chiang Kai Shek College in the 2nd PCABL Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Cup on Saturday at Philippine Buddhacare Academy gym in Quezon City.
The Bullpups shrugged off a slow start to down the reigning UAAP champion Eaglets for the second time since their semifinal duel in last month’s Freego Cup.
Justin Baltazar and Carl Penano led NU’s attack with 21 and 20 points, respectively.
Former PH Under-17 team ace Jolo Mendoza led all scorers with 23 points but his effort went for naught as no other Ateneo player scored in double figures in the tournament sponsored by Smart, Advance Solutions Inc., Hapee Toothpaste, Fed Seal, Powerhouse, CW Home Depot and Powerbest Marketing.
Hope Christian leaned on the 26-point explosion of Harvey Pagsanjan to outlast Tiong Lian rival CKS College, 72-63.
Other opening-day winners were University of the East, which crushed Letran, 84-63, and Far Eastern U, which nipped University of the Philippines Integrated School, 80-78.