Bullpups topple Junior Archers

MANILA, Philippines - National U used a big second quarter run to take control then held sway in the second half to carve out a 69-57 victory over De La Salle-Zobel in the Filoil Flying V Accel Badolato Juniors Cup at The Arena yesterday.

The Bullpups held the Junior Archers to just 11 points in the second period while scoring 21 of their own as they turned a 14-16 deficit into a 35-27 lead which they used as a springboard to post their second win in three games for joint second with Emilio Aguinaldo College in Group A.

 “I just told the boys to keep their focus and play good defense and offense,” said NU assistant coach Chico Manabat.

The Bullpups actually sustained their run after the break that saw them score 10 unanswered points to build leads of as many as 18, 45-27.

But the Junior Archers countered with their own 11-0 run at the end of the third and moved to within six, 50-56 midway in the fourth behind Renzo Subido and Gabriel Reyes’ back-to-back triples.

The Bullpups, however, regained their bearing and thwarted the Junior Archers with a decisive 6-0 binge that gave them another double-digit lead.

Earlier, Emilio Aguinaldo College downed Jose Rizal University, 79-66.

The Brigadiers dominated the first period, 21-11, and raced to leads of as many as 20 in the second quarter.

The Light Bombers went on a late fourth quarter surge as Richard Lontoc and Jerome Garcia drilled in back-to-back triples, putting the team just within, 63-62, with five minutes left in the game.