MANILA, Philippines – National U banked on its 1-2 punch John Lloyd Clemente and Justine Baltazar to demolish holder Ateneo, 81-69, and streak to its eighth straight win in the UAAP Season 78 juniors’ basketball tourney at the Filoil Flying V Arena yesterday.
Clemente pumped in 21 points spiked with five triples and grabbed 13 rebounds while Baltazar banged in 15 markers and collared 20 boards to spearhead the attack for the Bullpups, who enjoyed double-digit leads that reached as high as 25.
Daniel Atienza and Winderlich Coyoca added nine apiece as NU duplicated its 73-60 rout of Ateneo on the last day of the first round last Dec. 12.
Gian Mamuyac (19 points and nine rebounds) and SJ Belangel (17) paced the Blue Eaglets, who absorbed their third loss in eight starts with Eagles coach Tab Baldwin in attendance. Top gun Jolo Mendoza, who limped home scoreless in their first round encounter, finished with 14.
Meanwhile, Aljun Melecio sizzled with 41 big points highlighted by seven treys and also had 10 caroms to tow De La Salle-Zobel to a 78-58 disposal of Far Eastern U-Diliman.
Melecio also dished out two assists and made two steals in a monster game that propelled the Junior Archers to solo second at 6-2. The Baby Tams dropped to 4-4 behind AdMU and Adamson, which caught up with Eaglets at third after nipping University of the Philippines Integrated School, 66-61.
The Baby Falcons, who led by as many as 17, drew balanced production from Jayson Celis (11), Jose Antiporda (10), Ralf Chua (9) and Raygan Santos (8).
John Allan Gregorio shot a game-high 13 for UPIS, which dropped to 1-7.
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas wiped out a 21-point deficit and scraped past University of the East, 95-94.
Miguel Ratuiste drained the game-winning free throw and wound up with 22 as the Tiger Cubs completed the fightback with a 27-14 fourth-quarter exchange en route to their third victory in eight games.
The Junior Warriors fell to 0-8 and saw the 25-point explosion of Ernest Camarillo turn to naught.