Bullpups, Blue Eaglets remain unbeaten

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion National University and Ateneo primed up for their much-anticipated finals rematch this weekend by beating separate foes yesterday in the UAAP Season 77 juniors basketball tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym.      

The Bullpups extended their winning streak to 22 games by repulsing Adamson University, 63-55, while the Blue Eaglets banked on 29-8 run in the third quarter for a 84-60 victory over University of the East.      

Both undefeated in six matches, NU and Ateneo clash this Saturday, with the first round sweep on the line. It will be the first meeting by both teams since the Bullpups prevailed over the Eaglets in the championship round last year for a 16-0 sweep.      

Allan Mina tossed in 13 points, Philip Manalang had 12 points while Mark Dyke hauled down 13 rebounds for NU.      

Matt Nieto had 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists, Lorenzo Mendoza and Marc Salandanan scored 12 points apiece while Mike Nieto had a double-double effort of 10 points and 10 rebounds for Ateneo.      

Far Eastern University-Diliman and De La Salle-Zobel, meanwhile, prevailed over struggling opponents to stay in joint third place.      

Marvin Lee had 14 points, eight boards, five assists and three steals as the Baby Tamaraws turned back University of Santo Tomas, 53-41, while Joaquin Banzon tallied 18 points, seven assists, five boards and four steals in the Junior Archers’ 104-54 rout of UP Integrated School.       

FEU-Diliman and La Salle-Zobel improved their records to 2-4.       

The Baby Falcons dropped to 2-4, the Tiger Cubs and the Junior Maroons went down to 1-5, while the Junior Warriors are winless in six matches.