Bullpups crush Junior Archers, collect crown

UAAP Juniors champions NU Bullpups.

A week after missing out on a season sweep, National University made its championship win just as sweet.

The Bullpups showed sheer dominance after a first loss and ripped La Salle Zobel, 96-75, to capture the UAAP juniors basketball crown in Game 3 Friday at Filoil Flying V Arena.

Led by Finals MVP Justine Baltazar, the Bullpups overpowered the Junior Archers at the paint, 42-16, and on rebounds, 58-36, on the way to the lopsided victory.

“Nakakapanghinayang na hindi sweep (There’s regret that it wasn’t a sweep), but the championship is better,” said NU coach Jeff Napa.

The Bullpups could have completed a perfect season last week, but the Junior Archers spoiled their bid with a stunning Game 2 victory, 71-60.

But that loss—the Bullpups’ first in 16 games—turned out to be just a minor hump as Baltazar, John Lloyd Clemente, Winderlich Coyoca and Karl Penano came out charging early.

Coyoca topscored with 20, highlighted by a wild three-pointer with three-tenths of a second left in the first half that gave the Bullpups an 11-point cushion, 48-37.

“We showed our identity, our defense,” said Napa after the Bullpups picked up their second title in three years.

The scores:
NU 96—Coyoca 20, Baltazar 18, Penano 16, Clemente 15, Amsali 11, Callejo 6, Atienza 5, Fortea 3, Jugar 2, Manalang 0, Sarip 0, Beldua 0, Tolentino 0, Careng 0, Mosqueda 0.
DLSZ 75—Melecio 22, Sobrevega 20, Sario 14, Paraiso 8, Romero 6, Cabarrus 3, Fortuna 2, Tongco 0, Mariano 0, Salafranca 0
Quarters: 22-9, 48-37, 79-52, 96-75