Basketball
NU in UAAP jrs hoops finals, FEU slams Ateneo ‘4-peat’ bid
National University is starting to become a force to reckon with in the UAAP.
The Bullpups beat La Salle Zobel-Zobel, 49-46, to advance to the Season 74 finals against Far Eastern University, which ended Ateneo’s four-peat bid with a 63-56 victory in Tuesday’s final four knockout games at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Norjohn Tendenilla had 12 points and Raphael Atangan contributed 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Bullpups of NU, which is starting reap the fruits of a massive buildup as it started to make its presence felt in men’s basketball and in men’s badminton, where it wound up runner-up.
Paolo Rivero also delivered for NU with 12 rebounds, as did Paul Baliton with eight rebounds and six assists.
No Junior Archer finished in double figure with Kristiane Velhagen topscoring with nine points to go with his 11 rebounds in the match that was actually tight most of the way with two deadlocks and nine lead changes.
Joshua Aguilon had 21 points and Jerie Pingoy 18 markers for the Baby Tamaraws, who were forced to a KO game by the Blue Eaglets, the champions the last three seasons.
Kristoffer Porter had a double-double 14 points and as many rebounds but the rest of the Blue Eaglets groped in the second half after they controlled the first two periods — 19-8 and 29-22.
