Bullpups, Blue Eaglets collide in UAAP juniors cagefest

Games Saturday:

(Filoil Flying V Arena)

9 a.m. – UE vs UST

11 a.m. – Ateneo vs NU

1 p.m. – AdU vs UE

3 p.m. – FEU vs DLSZ

MANILA, Philippines – Pacesetting National University clashes with defending champion Ateneo Saturday in the resumption of the UAAP Season 78 juniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

The Bullpups completed a seven-game sweep of the first round with a 73-60 victory over the Blue Eaglets in a rematch of last season's Finals on December 12.

The NU-Ateneo tussle, the second of a four-game bill, is scheduled at 11 a.m.

In other matches, De La Salle-Zobel collides with Far Eastern University-Diliman at 3 p.m., Adamson University takes on University of the East at 1 p.m., while University of Santo Tomas faces UP Integrated School at 9 a.m.

Justine Baltazar, who imposed his 6-foot-4 frame with 18 points, 16 rebounds, and five blocks against the Eaglets, and John Lloyd Clemente, who also had 18 points the last time out, will be the vital cogs for the Bullpups.

Last year's Finals MVP Jolo Mendoza, who was scoreless in 15 minutes due to injury against NU, hopes to make up this time for Ateneo.         

The Eaglets are tied with the Junior Archers in second spot at 5-2, a full game ahead of joint fourth placers the Baby Tamaraws and the Baby Falcons (4-3).

The Tiger Cubs are two games out of the Magic 4 with a 2-5 slate, the Junior Maroons are at 1-6, while the Junior Warriors are winless in seven first round matches.

Action in juniors baseball blasts off Saturday with De La Salle-Zobel clashing with UST at 9 a.m. at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium. Ateneo drew an opening day bye.