Continuing their redemption tour, UAAP Season 80 Juniors Basketball tournament runners-up Nazareth School of National University Bullpups ended the Cindrella run of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles with a dominant 71-47 win to advance to the 2018 Exped Socks SM-NBTC National Finals, Thursday evening.
With the win, the Bullpups booked a date with the La Salle Green Hills Greenies for the National Championship. The game will take place on Friday, March 23 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“Siyempre masaya sa panalo and may chance na kami manalo ng tournament ngayon. Hindi rin ganun kadali pinagdaanan natin, isang talo tanggal,” shared second-year Bullpups head coach Goldwin Monteverde as NU had to go through the Jalen Green-led FilAm Sports during the Elite Eight.
After Terrence Fortea provided the spark for the Bullpups in the first half, it was Gerry Abadiano who took over in the third frame. The former Adamson Baby Falcon scored 11 of his game-high 23 markers in the quarter, capped by a buzzer-beating jumper to put NU up 53-40.
“Mindset ko lang po ay dalhin yung team kahit ano man mangyari, anumang situation,” said Abadiano, who went 7-of-9 from the field and 7-of-11 from the foul stripe.
Fortea and Abadiano literally took turns in lambasting the Magis Eagles in the final frame as they combined for 12 points in a 13-3 spurt to put the game away for good.
“Offensively very talented silang dalawa. One aspect na nakita ko sa depensa they did a good job, both sides kaya nilang laruin,” beamed Monterverde about his backcourt duo that helped limit Sacred Heart to just two field goals in the final 10 minutes of the contest.
Fortea added 17 markers for the Bullpups.
After scoring 21 points during their quarterfinals stunner against the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, Errol Pastor was limited to just 14 points on a dismal 5-of-18 shooting. Wilson Yu scored six points after finishing with 18 markers in the same game.
In Division 2 of the NBTC Finals, Letran Balanga Bataan will take on La Salle Lipa Chevrons.
The Squires were the first to enter the Finals, beating Saint Louis School Dumaguete, 59-45, behind Aerone Santos’s double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds.
The Chevrons on the other hand were able to eke out a 79-78 win over St. Benidle International School Calamba. Ian Abila had a big game of 21 points and 15 rebounds while Stephen Javier chipped in with 20 points and five assists.
The Scores:
NU 71 – Abadiano 23, Fortea 17, Malonzo 7, Gonzales 5, Amsali 4, Oczon 4, Tamayo 3, Manalang 2, Javillonar 2, Minerva 2, Quiambao 2, Felicida 0
SHS 47 – Pastor 14, Yu W 6, Manaytay 6, Colonia 6, Diaz 6, Mantua 3, Gesalem 3, Bersaluna 2, Visser 1, Javelosa 0, Nacua 0, Chua 0, Yu B 0
Quarterscores: 21-16, 33-28, 53-40, 71-47
