Bullpups a win shy of junior cage crown

NU Bullpups vs La Salle-Zobel Junior Archers. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

National University hardly gave De La Salle-Zobel a chance as the Bullpups hacked out a lopsided 78-58 victory Friday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan to move within a win of a perfect season in the UAAP juniors basketball tournament.

Leaning on their top duo, John Lloyd Clemente and Justine Baltazar, yet again, the Bullpups went on a tear early and dominated all the way to post their 15th straight victory.

“We’re going all out,” coach Jeff Napa said of his Bullpups, who stayed as lethal despite a long layoff following an elimination sweep that propelled them straight to the Finals.

“Whatever the game plan, the boys are following it. They’re doing their job.”

Clemente fired 16 points, while Baltazar posted 15 points and 27 rebounds for his 12th double-double outing.

The Bullpups look to complete an unbeaten season in Game 2 on Friday.

Led by season MVP Aljun Melecio, the Junior Archers had hoped for an upset after dethroning last year’s champion Ateneo in the stepladder semifinals.

But the Bullpups relentlessly attacked to erect leads as many as 31 points, 70-39, and controlled the boards, 57-34.

The scores:
NU 78—Clemente 16, Baltazar 15, Peñano 12, Sarip 7, Manalang 5, Jugar 5, Atienza 4, Tolentino 4, Beldua 3, Vallejo 3, Amsali 2, Coyoca 2, Careng 0, Fortea 0, Mosqueda 0.
DLSZ 58—Melecio 15, Sario 10, Romero 10, Mariano 8, Fortuna 6, Cabarrus 4, Sobrevega 3, Paraiso 2, Francisco 0, Rabat 0, Tongco 0.
Quarters: 22-13, 40-22, 62-39, 78-58