THE NAZARETH School of National University Bullpups ended UST’s amazing run, crushing the Tiger Cubs after crushing all attempts of a comeback, 91-72, on Tuesday to book a ticket in the UAAP juniors’ finals.
Tiger Cubs Jules Anuncacion and Rhayjun Baquial scored back-to-back baskets, but the Bullpups ignited a 19-8 run for an 88-66 lead with 4:45 left in the game.
The win sent the Bullpups to the finals for the seventh-straight year.
“Sobrang pagod na rin ang mga bata, medyo hindi na na-protektahan ‘yung bola tsaka ‘yung pressure nasa amin kasi twice-to-beat ang NU,” Tiger Cubs head coach Chris Cantonjos said.
NU outscored UST in the second quarter, 24-14, to build a 14-point advantage at the half.
NU scored 19 points off the Tiger Cubs’ 24 turnovers. The Bullpups also collected 27 offensive rebounds, led by Paolo Javillonar’s 11.
The Tiger Cubs as a team had 11 offensive boards.
The Bullpups also plucked 21 second chance points.
Bullpup Terrence Fortea led all scorers with 17 points while Miguel Oczon dropped 16 markers.
Baquial and Jezreel Villapando had 16 points apiece for UST.
Most Valuable Player CJ Cansino was held to a season-low 10 points on a 4-of-14 shooting clip along with 16 rebounds.
His previous low was 13 markers also against NU in the second round of eliminations.
Cansino, Baquial and Villapando exhausted their playing years in the juniors’ division.
