UAAP JRS FINALS NU-Nazareth Bullpups take Game One
Game Friday
(The Arena, San Juan)
3 p.m. — Ateneo vs NU-Nazareth (NU leads series 1-0)
NU-Nazareth School went on a third quarter surge to beat defending champion Ateneo, 70-58, and move a win shy of capturing the UAAP juniors basketball crown at The Arena in San Juan.
Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao and Terrence Fortea powered the Bullpups’ rally from a 30-25 halftime deficit, outscoring the Blue Eaglets 28-15 in the third before preserving the lead in the final period to draw first blood in the best-of-three finals.
Tamayo scored 15 points, Quiambao had 14 points and 13 rebounds while Fortea bucked 3-of-10 shooting with 11 points for the NU cagers of coach Goldwyn Monteverde.
The Bullpups go for the sweep on Friday at the same venue as they take their first crack at winning the title for the first time since beating the La Salle-Zobel Junior Archers in 2016.
Kai Sotto posted 16 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and five blocks but it was not enough for Ateneo which faces the daunting task of extending the series in Game 2.
Ateneo has lost all three games against NU this season.
Tamayo and Quiambao sparked the Bullpups’ hot start in the third before Fortea knocked down timely shots the rest of the way.
(Jonas Terrado)
Lizares, Kennneth Larrazabal, Ogie Villanca, Atty. Cascolan, CDL Delta Group, Paul Teves, Darasa Coliseum, Norman Bengco, Fiscal Villanueva, Marvin Rillo, Manuel Sy, Dori Du, Jay Soria/Gary Tobianosa, Bong Pineda, Anthony Lim/ Manolet, Patbel/Raffy Zaide, Cahilig/Putot, Batang San Juan Group, Richard Perez, Harold Ramos, Femie Medina, Jun Bacolod/Dante Eslabon, and Cholo Violago/ Bailey will be fielding their respective entries in a virtual battle royale.
The team of Manny and Arman Santos, the defending champion, will stake its supremacy, with challengers like Patrick Antonio putting two entries and vowing to wrest away the title. They will be joined by Bong Pineda, Fil-Am Rene Medina, Gov. Ito Ynares, Dori Du of Davao, and Sonny Lagon of Cebu among others.