NU Bullpups nip Baby Tams, sweep 1st round

NATIONAL University completed a seven-game sweep after nipping defending champion Far Eastern University, 79-76, at the end of the first round of the UAAP juniors basketball eliminations yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena.

John Cauilan pumped in 19 points and fellow forward Mark Dyke had a double-double of 18 markers and 20 rebounds to power the Bullpups in the rematch of last season’s finals.

The Bullpups trailed, 73-74, before Hubert Cani nailed a floater and Michael Battad scored on a putback that gave the Bullpups a 77-74 edge in the closing seconds.

NU’s Jonas Go also scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half, the last on two clutch free throws, 79-76, after the Baby Tamaraws closed in anew, 77-76, with a JJ Domingo basket.

Domingo tried to forge overtime but missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer as the Baby Tamaraws slipped to fourth with a 4-3 card.

Ateneo and La Salle Zobel wound up tied for second with 5-2 records after winning separate assignments.

Aaron Black, the son of former Ateneo champion coach Norman Black, fired 19 points to lift the Blue Eaglets past University of Santo Tomas, 75-69.

The Junior Archers downed winless University of the Philippines, 68-63, behind the 25-point production of Henri Subido.

The UE Junior Warriors and the Tiger Cubs finished tied at 3-4. Jasmine W. Payo