NU blasts Letran; Ateneo, CKSC win in Jumbo Plastic

MANILA, Philippines - National University blasted Letran B, 85-31, and grabbed the early lead even as University of Santo Tomas debuted on a winning note Saturday in the second PCABL Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Cup at the Philippine Buddhacare Academy gym in Quezon City.

Using the tournament to toughen up for the coming UAAP season, the Bullpups got off to a hot start, racing to a commanding 33-7 first quarter lead which proved huge enough to disarm the Knights and post their second straight win in the annual preseason tournament for Manila’s high school teams.

Joshua Jugar scored 14 points highlighted by 3-of-4 shooting from the three-point area while John Clemente scored all but two of his 13 points in the first quarter to underscore NU’s well-balanced assault.

NU’s victory in the tournament sponsored by Smart Telecom, Advance Solutions Inc., Hapee Toothpaste, Fed Seal, Powerhouse, CW Home Depot and Powerbest Marketing was a fitting follow-up to its 79-66 drubbing of reigning UAAP champion Ateneo in the opener last July 25.

The UST Tiger Cubs, on the other hand, drew 16 points from Marlon Navarro in the fourth quarter to slip past the University of the East Junior Warriors, 104-102.

Navarro went on to finish in double-double with 23 points and 19 rebounds, including eight defensive, while Bryan Lacap and Cyril Narvasa combined for 42 points to help UST deny UE a second straight win following its 84-63 win over Letran B.

Defending champion Chiang Kai Shek College and Ateneo rebounded from opening day setbacks with the Blue Dragons scoring an 89-82 win over the University of the Philippines Integrated School Junior Maroons, 89-82, while the Eaglets crushed the Hope Christian High School, 78-54.