UAAP JRS BASKETBALL Bullpups, Eaglets arrange title rematch

Game Tomorrow

(The Arena, San Juan City) 3 p.m. – NU vs Ateneo

Terrence Fortea dropped 30 points as National University claimed its eighth consecutive UAAP juniors basketball finals appearance with a 94-72 dismantling of Adamson on Friday at The Arena in San Juan City.

Fortea waxed out in the first half with 22 points built on five triples as the Bullpups of coach Goldwin Monteverde took a 54-35 lead at the break and never looked back.

NU will face defending champion Ateneo in a best-of-three series which starts tomorrow at the same venue. The Bullpups won their two elimination round meetings against the Blue Eaglets.

Ateneo beat NU in last year’s finals which went the full three games.

Ateneo, eyeing a second straight crown, overcame a stirring Far Eastern University-Diliman fightback to fashion out a 90-82 victory in the other semis pairing.

Kai Sotto scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half to go with eight rebounds while rookie Ian Espinosa added 19 points, four assists, three boards and two steals for Ateneo.

Down by as much as 21, the Baby Tamaraws were able to cut down the deficit to six but the Eaglets were able to hold on up to the very end to clinch their second straight Finals stint.