Bullpups reduce Greenies to pulp, rule PSSBC tiff

MANILA, Philippines — National University lived up to its growing reputation by ruling the seventh Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship ‘Rain or Shine Cup’ with an anti-climactic win over La Salle Greenhills Thursday at the SGS gym in Quezon City.

In winning their first title in the event dubbed “Battle of the Champions”, the NU Bullpups used an explosive third quarter to overwhelm the many-time NCAA champions, 107-87.

Batang Gilas veteran Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea and Kevin Quiambao starred in NU’s 34-point rampage while helping limit the Greenies to just 20 points in the third where they pulled away for good.

Fortea and Abadiano shared the Final MVP honors after delivering 28 and 27 points, respectively, while Quiambao, who finished with 21 points and 19 rebounds, emerged tournament MVP.

Meantime, deposed champion San Beda University salvaged some measure of pride by edging Far Eastern University, 78-76, in the tournament also bankrolled by Poly Gloss, Freego, Dickies Underwear, Hapee Toothpaste,  IronCon Builders, MEC Networks, Blackwater Sports, and Che’Lu Bar and Grill.

League chairman Terry Que of Rain or Shine and vice chairman Eduard Tio of Freego hailed NU’s victory and so were the 11 other schools who took part in the five-day tournament.

“NU showed why it is leading in the UAAP standings right now. They (Bullpups) have a great talent,” said Que, who co-owns the ROS team in the PBA with Raymond Yu.

The game was extra tight in the first two quarters until Abadiano and Fortea found their range and led the team’s offensive spurts.

The title was the fifth for the Goldwin Monteverde-mentored Bullpups, who ruled the PCABL, Palarong Pambansa, ASEAN School and the NBTC National Final – the last also against the Greenies.

Quiambao led the Mythical Selection, which included NU teammate Cyril Gonzales, San Beda’s Anfernee Estacio, FEU’s RJ Abarrientos and La Salle’s Inand Fornillos.