SJ Belangel. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
SJ Belangel took charge when it mattered the most to lift Ateneo over Nazareth School of National University, 78-68, for a perfect 14-0 sweep in the UAAP Season 80 juniors basketball tournament Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The 19-year-old point guard fired 12 points in the last three minutes as the Blue Eagles held off a late fightback by the Bullpups.
He finished with 31 points, seven rebounds, and three steals to carry Ateneo to an outright Finals berth.
Dave Ildefonso chipped in 16 markers and six boards, while Kai Sotto posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds on top of three blocks.
Miguel Oczon led NU with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Rhayyan Amsali added 13 points and nine boards in the defeat.
The Bullpups remain in second place with an 11-3 record as they will have a twice-to-beat advantage in the stepladder semifinals.
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas stayed in the semifinals hunt after taking down defending champion and third-running Far Eastern University-Diliman, 64-62, while Adamson beat La Salle-Zobel, 75-51.
Finishing the elimination round with similar 7-7 slates, UST and Adamson will dispute the last Final Four spot.
MVP frontrunner CJ Cansino didn’t want his final year to end in a whimper, collecting 26 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
University of the East also stunned UP Integrated School, 94-85 to cap off its campaign with a victory.