Bullpups tear Tiger Cubs, battle Eaglets

NATIONAL University (NU) put a painful end to University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) Cinderella run yesterday, 91-72, clinching a finals ticket for the seventh straight time in UAAP Season 80 juniors basketball at The Arena in San Juan City.

Batang Gilas standout Terrence Fortea and Miguel Oczon combined for 33 points, spiked by six triples, while big man Paolo Javillonar tallied 13 points and 16 rebounds to help the second seed Bullpups reassert their dominance over the fourth-ranked Tiger Cubs in the final phase of the stepladder semifinals.

With the empathic win, NU earned the right to take on powerhouse and top seed Ateneo in the best-of-three titular showdown starting Friday at the same venue.

“Every transition has its challenge. I’m lucky that these players responded well and we worked hard together,” said NU first year coach Goldwin Monteverde.

Rayjhun Baquial and Jezreel Villapando led the Tiger Cubs with 16 points apiece but graduating star CJ Cansino, the reigning league MVP, struggled from the field, coming up with just 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting, no thanks to the Bullpups’ tenacious defense.

Down 16-15 after a Cansino split from the free throw line, the Bullpups suddenly went on a decisive 17-1 tear, with Fortea drilling in eight points, spiked by two triples, that sent the Tiger Cubs reeling.

Meanwhile, UST has also seen the last of Coach Chris Cantonjos, who is already bent on stepping down with the impending takeover of new Growling Tigers mentor Aldin Ayo over the whole UST basketball program.

“Kahit ano namang mangyari, Tiger pa rin ako,” said Cantonjos, 44, a former UST standout who played an instrumental role during the Growling Tigers’ four-peat run under legendary tactician Aric del Rosario in the ’90s. Fortea 17, Oczon 16, Javillonar 13, Amsali 12, Manalang 11, Coyoca 8, Gonzales 4, Pangilinan 4, Minerva 2, Malonzo 2, Vinoya 2, Dayrit 0, Felicida 0. Baquial 16, Villapando 16, Lina 10, Cansino 10, Narvasa 10, Anunciacion 6, Palencia 2, Dolendo 0, Manabat 0, Relucio 0, Estrella 0, Dela Cruz 0, Benzonan 0. Quarters: 21-17, 45-31, 67-51, 91-72.