Baby Tams, Bullpups back in the finals anew; Lady Falcons advance

MANILA, Philippines — National University and Far Eastern University sealed another finals meeting in the 75th UAAP juniors basketball division, prevailing over separate foes in the final four clash at the Arena in San Juan.

Top-seeded Baby Tamaraws repelled a tough Ateneo 70-67 behind the efforts of soon-to-be MVP Jerie Pingoy and Joshua Aguilon, who had 19 points each.

Meanwhile, it was Raphael Atangan who once again carried the defending titlist Bullpups to a 78-66 victory over University of Santo Tomas in the other game.

The Bullpups avenged their senior counterparts and tore the Tiger Cubs apart as Cani finished with 21 points and six boards while Atangan added 18 markers.

FEU and NU begin their best-of-three finals series on Sunday at the same venue.

In the women’s division, Adamson Lady Falcons downed fourth-seed Ateneo Lady Eagles 68-61 in the first step ladder match to advance closer to their bid for a finals spot.

Snow Peñaranda scored 18 points and plucked 13 rebounds for the Lady Falcons, who will face La Salle next.

Adamson face a tough test as La Salle is armed with a “twice-to-beat” edge, needing only a win to advance to the finale against FEU Lady Tamaraws.