Ateneo, NU dispute Jumbo Cup crown

Games tomorrow

9 a.m. – CKSC vs FEU

10:30 a.m. – NU vs Ateneo

MANILA, Philippines - National University and Ateneo – past and present UAAP junior champions – beat separate rivals to seal another title showdown in the second PCABL Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Cup at the Philippine Buddhacare Academy gym in Quezon City recently.

The top-seeded NU Bullpups, who completed an eight-game sweep of the elims, leaned on Daniel Atienza to fashion out a come-from-behind 77-68 win over last year’s champions the Chiang Kai Shek College Blue Dragons to clinch the first finals berth.

The Eaglets, on the other hand, trounced the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws, 76-63, to avenge their loss to their elims tormentors in the tournament backed by Smart Telecom, Advance Solutions Inc., Hapee Toothpaste, Fed Seal, Powerhouse, CW Home Depot and Powerbest Marketing.

The winner-take-all match tomorrow also serves as a prelude to their projected title clash in the UAAP.

John Clemente led the Bullpups again with 18 markers but it was Atienza who took charge in the playoff period, firing 11 of his 16 points to power the team to victory.

Two other NU players scored in double figures with Justin Baltazar and Rhayyan Amsali chipping in 14 and 10 points, respectively.

The Ateneo-FEU match was marked by two deadlocks and 11 lead changes until Jolo Mendoza and Gian Mamuyac came through with huge plays that finally put away the challenge of the Baby Tamaraws. 

A former member of the Philippine Under-16 team, Mendoza led the Eaglets with 14 points while Mamuyac added nine markers, including five in the final period.