Eaglets go for 18th crown vs Bullpups

Game today (Filoil Flying V Arena)

2 p.m. – NU vs AdMU (jrs basketball finals)

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo seeks to put the finishing touches to a near perfect campaign when it guns for the UAAP Season 77 juniors’ basketball title today against embattled holders National U at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

The Blue Eaglets, who swept the 14-game elims for an outright finals seat but dropped the opener, got back in groove with a 78-76 win over the Bullpups last Tuesday, posting the first of two victories they need to cop the plum.

Ateneo coach Joe Silva, who is looking to steer the Eaglets to their 18th crown overall, expects a dogfight with the Bullpups in the 2 p.m. game.

“NU is the defending champions and they’ll come back  a hell of a fight. We just need to be composed,” he said.

Season MVP Mike Nieto and his twin brother Matthew are expected to lead the Eaglets along with Game Two hero Jolo Mendoza.

Mark Dyke will banner NU, which is seeking to keep its bid for a golden treble alive. 

The juniors division is the only missing jewel in NU’s basketball trophy collection for Season 77 after winning the centerpiece men’s plum and the women’s tiara in the first semester.

Should the Bullpups foil the Eaglets, they will battle it out in a winner-take-all duel on Monday.