KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – National University made it a golden double for Team Philippines as it won the boys’ basketball with nary a trouble on Thursday in the 10th ASEAN Schools Games here.
Playing with fire in their eyes, the Filipino dribblers reduced the host nation to tears after pulling off an 87-65 win at the Gem in Mall courts in Cyberjaya.
Backed by Freego’s Eduard Tio, the Bullpups won the gold via a four-game sweep of the tournament.
NU’s title win was redemption of sorts for Goldwin Monteverde.
Monteverde’s Adamson settled for runner-up last year.
The 6-foot-7 Carl Vincent Tamayo and 6-foot-6 Kevin Earl Quiambao starred for the Bullpups as they dominated both ends with their power plays.
Tamayo also helped the team offensively with 18 points.
World Cup veterans Gerry Austin Abadiano and Terrence John Fortea also shone with 20 and 19 points, respectively.
Fortea highlighted his game with five triples while Abadiano dished out six assists as the Bullpups annexed their second title in three months.
They took the Palaro gold in Vigan City to earn the right to represent the country in the annual tournament that gathered the best student-athletes in the region.
The country 18-under team won the girls’ gold earlier after dumping Singapore, 80-41.
Backed by SM bigwigs, the Nationals leaned on the red-hot shooting of Silay City bet Kent Jane Pastrana, who poured in 14 points.
Others who stepped up for PH U-18 were Karl Ann Pingol of Pototan, Iloilo, Caila Marie Galamiton and Angelica Surada who combined for 32 points.
The medalists will receive cash incentives from the Department of Education (DepEd) with gold winners receiving R6,000 each, silver R4,000 and bronze R3,000.
