National University and Ateneo—past and current UAAP junior champions—forged another title showdown by downing their semifinal rivals in the 2nd PCABL Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Cup recently at Philippine Buddhacare Academy in Quezon City.
The top-seeded NU Bullpups, who completed an eight-game sweep of the elimination round, clinched the first final berth with a 77-68 come-from-behind win over last year’s champions Chiang Kai Shek College Blue Dragons, thanks to the heroics of Daniel Atienza.
The Ateneo Eaglets, on the other hand, secured the right to face their elimination round tormentors in the one-game face-off by pulling off a 76-63 win over the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws.
The winner-take-all match is on Saturday.
John Clemente once again led the Bullpups with 18 points but it was Atienza who delivered the game-changing performance as he scored 11 of his 16 points in the payoff to pull away for good.