Games Sunday
(Filoil Flying V Centre)
9 a.m. – UPIS vs NU (Jrs)
11 a.m. – UE vs AdU (Jrs)
1 p.m. – FEU vs UST (Jrs)
3 p.m. – Ateneo vs DLSZ (Jrs)
National University clinched a playoff for one of two twice-to-beat advantages in the semis with a 77-56 dismantling of University of the East in the UAAP juniors basketball tournament held over the weekend at The Arena in San Juan City.
Led by Gerry Abadiano and Carl Tamayo, the Bullpups hardly encountered problem in notching their 11th win in 12 starts despite the absence of Terrence Fortea.
The crafty Abadiano tallied 17 points while the 6-foot-7 Tamayo dominated the paint to finish with 15 points. Fortea was serving his one game suspension.
NU can clinch the top seeding with a win over University of the Philippines-Integrated School on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University-Diliman, Ateneo and Adamson University secured the remaining three semis berths after beating separate foes.
RR Tolentino had a breakout outing of 20 points and seven rebounds while Xyrus Torres added 15 markers in a reserve role as the Baby Tamaraws made short work of UP Integrated School, 87-65.
Kai Sotto had 33 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, Ian Espinosa and Geo Chiu each scored 15 points while Forthsky Padrigao chipped in 13 points, nine assists, six steals and three boards as the back-to-back title-seeking Blue Eaglets overhauled a 10-point halftime deficit to beat University of Santo Tomas, 87-78.
The Baby Falcons, behind Adam Doria’s 27-point outburst, later completed the semifinals cast with a 94-77 romp of De La Salle-Zobel.
The Bullpups, who despite playing minus suspended guard Terrence Fortea have improved to a league-best 11-1 card, pulled away in the second half to move a win of securing the top ranking in the semifinals.
The Tiger Cubs, who drew 27 points from prolific Mark Nonoy, stumbled to their seventh loss in 12 contests were later booted out of Final Four contention with the Baby Falcons’ win over the Junior Archers (4-8).
