NU’s Justine Baltazar. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
NATIONAL University emerged as the best among high school champions as the Bullpups ripped San Beda, 84-74, to rule the 2016 SM-National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) League on Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.
John Lloyd Clemente and Justine Baltazar, the top duo in NU’s recent UAAP juniors title romp, led an early scoring outburst before helping the Bullpups thwart the Red Cubs’ late rally.
“They proved that they’re the No. 1 high school team in the country,” said NU coach Jeff Napa after the Bullpups captured the Division 1 crown. “From point to wing [positions], we have the advantage and we used that. We’re also known for our defense, so we focused on that.”
Clemente, who posted 20 points and six rebounds, copped the Finals MVP and led the Mythical Team of Baltazar, San Beda’s Evan Nelle and Sam Abuhijleh, and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu’s Eroll Pastor.
The Bullpups pulled away, 71-52, with six minutes to go, before Nelle fueled the Cubs’ fiery rally that pushed them within, 79-74.
But the Cubs, who won their seventh straight title in the last NCAA juniors season, didn’t get any closer as Winderlich Coyoca’s triple and Baltazar’s jumper got the Bullpups back up, 84-74, with 46.2 seconds left.
Baltazar, who also won Best Defensive Player, finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
Earlier, De La Salle Lipa of Batangas slipped past Rex Dei of Laguna, 62-60, to clinch the Division 2 championship. Finals MVP Reyger Rommel Dimaunahan dropped 14 points for DLS-Lipa.
Dimaunahan led the Mythical Team with teammate Anthony Lawrence Platon, Laguna’s John Ronald Barba, Lucena’s Ian Aldos Burilla and Angeles’ John Dell Mercado.
The scores:
First Game
DE LA SALLE LIPA 62—Dimaunahan R. 14, Javier 13, Dimayuga 11, Platon 5, Larosa 4, Virrey 4, Canubas 4, Encarnacion 3, Malabanan 2, Cutanda 2, Nario 0, Dimaunahan M. 0, De Chavez 0, Grant 0.
REX DEI 60—Bara 14, Aquino 13, Ronquillo 8, Baccol 8, Monsalve 7, Santos 4, Mabilingan 4, Narag 2, Bandola 0, Solomon 0, Samson 0, Aguilar 0.
Quarters: 25-17, 44-36, 54-42, 62-60
Second Game
NU 84—Clemente 20, Baltazar 12, Penano 12, Sarip 9, Manalang 8, Jugar 6, Atienza 6, Amsali 6, Coyoca 5, Callejo 0.
SAN BEDA 74—Bordeos 15, Nelle 14, Alfaro 12, Mahinay 11, Velasquez 10, Tagala 8, Lagumen 2, Nayve 2, Etrata 0, Abuhijleh 0, Dela Rosa 0.
Quarters: 16-10, 39-27, 61-45, 84-74