Unbeaten NU devours UE, nears finals berth in UAAP hoops

MANILA, Philippines -- National University inched closer to clinching an outright championship berth by clobbering University of the East, 94-60, on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 78 juniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

With the Bullpups coasting to a 71-37 lead entering the last 10 minutes of play, coach Jeff Napa had the opportunity for his starters to gird up for their biggest battle ahead.

Unbeaten in 13 contests, NU seeks to complete a double-round elimination sweep and claim the coveted thrice-to-beat advantage against De La Salle-Zobel on Saturday at the San Juan venue.

It was business as usual for Justine Baltazar with his eye-popping 16 point-16 rebound-three block effort to pace the Bullpups.

De La Salle-Zobel, priming up for its much-anticipated duel against NU, hammered out a 47-35 win over Adamson to assure itself of the No. 2 slot in the Final Four.

The Junior Archers, who were led by Aljun Melecio's 14 points, improved to 11-2 slate.

Defending champion Ateneo (9-4) blasted University of Santo Tomas, 80-57 (3-10), while Far Eastern University-Diliman (8-5) downed UP Integrated School (2-11), 81-71, to formally clinch the remaining two spots in the semifinals.

The Baby Falcons were eliminated in the Final Four race with a 6-7 card.