#UAAP78Jrs Finals Roundup: Bullpups feast on Junior Archers to cop title!

John Lloyd Clemente found redemption as NU reclaimed its UAAP Juniors' title.

Justine Baltazar and John Lloyd Clemente weren’t going to let the De La Salle-Zobel Junior Archers extend their already overdue championship wait. The Pampanga duo led the NU Bullpups in claiming their third UAAP Juniors’ crown via a Game 3 blowout, 96-75. 

NU wasted no time here, outscoring Green & White, 22-9, in the first quarter and then proceeding to extend their dominance throughout the rest of the game. 

Baltazar recorded yet another double-double this, his final game in the Juniors’ division, scoring 18 points and grabbing 14 rebounds on top of 4 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocked shots. Clemente also killed it, draining 15 markers to go along with 15 boards and 3 dimes.

#UAAP78Jrs Finals Roundup: Buhay pa sila!!! Junior Archers upset Bullpups in Game 2!

Aljun Melecio got his MVP award, won Game 2 for DLSZ, and snagged a prom date in the process. It was a good day.

Adapted from the game recap by Ma’am Tess Jazmines.

De La Salle-Zobel, with its backs against the wall, derailed National University's title celebration with a 71-60 win yesterday in the UAAP Season 78 juniors’ basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

"We are just out to prove that we are worthy challengers. We are not in the Finals for nothing," said Junior Archers coach Boris Aldeguer.
       
Unbeaten in 15 contests, the Bullpups are tipped to close it out after winning last week's Finals opener by a mile. But, instead, NU will wait for another week whether it will win its third title in four seasons, as La Salle-Zobel used its stingy zone defense to live another day.

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: Bullpups feast on Junior Archers in Game 1 of the Finals!

Justine Baltazar and Karl Penano go up for the rebound in Game 1 of the #UAAP78Jrs FInals.

The NU Bullpups had practically no trouble in getting their fifteenth win of the season and moving just one win away from annexing the Season 78 Juniors’ crown after they demolished the De La Salle-Zobel Junior Archers, 78-58. 

Justine Baltazar was in his usual deadly form in leading NU to the big W. The native of Mabalacat, Pampanga recorded his 12th double-double of the season with 15 points and 27 rebounds. The 6’8 slotman celebrated his 19th birthday yesterday, but it seemed like it was just another day in the court for Baltazar, as he was simply determined to help the Bullpups to reclaim the throne.

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: Junior Archers delight in dethroning Blue Eaglets

Jaime Cabarrus whoops it up with a teammate after helping his team dethrone the Ateneo Blue Eaglets.
(image from Josh Albelda/ABSCBN)

The De La Salle-Zobel Junior Archers made team history by sweeping the Ateneo Blue Eaglets for the first time ever, became responsible for dethroning the defending champs, and, more importantly, punched their tickets to the Season 78 Juniors Finals against the seemingly indomitable NU Bullpups.

The following game recap was adapted from Ma'am Tessa Jazmines.

DLSZ rode on the heroics of reserve slotman Jaime Cabarrus, who filled in for the fouled out MR Romero late in the game. Cabarrus, a recruit from PAREF-Southridge, nailed a keyhole jumper that cooled down the Blue Eaglets' fightback, giving the Junior Archers a 69-63 cushion with 1:02 remaining. Teh 6’2 graduating senior then drained two charities that sealed it for De La Salle-Zobel, 72-63, with 38 seconds left.

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: Eaglets knock off the Baby Tamaraws and face Junior Archers next.

Jolo Mendoza and the Eaglets are still in contention to defend their title.
(image by Arvin Lim/ABSCBN)

Action is set to heat up a lot more in the UAAP Season 78 juniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena as the Ateneo Blue Eaglets eliminated the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws and booked a do-or-die clash against bitter rival De La Salle-Zobel on Monday, February 15, 2016.

Sophomore playmaker SJ Belangel showcased his offensive wizardry against the Baby Tamaraws, scoring 15 points on 7/8 FG shooting. He also added 8 assists, 1 steal, and 2 rebounds in leading the Blue & White crew. He got able support from graduating players Jolo Mendoza and Gian Mamuyac. Mendoza, last season’s Finals MVP, recorded 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, while Gian Mamuyac added 13 markers, 4 dimes, 3 swipes, and 2 blocks.

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: Bullpups enter Finals, Eaglets and Baby Tamaraws face off in KO stepladder match.

Justine Baltazar put up another dominant performance for NU.
(image by Julius Domondon)

The following story is adapted from the press release by Ma’am Tessa Jazmines.

National University routed De La Salle-Zobel, 80-57, to clinch the outright championship berth yesterday in the UAAP Season 78 juniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

Justine Baltazar tallied his 11th double-double of the season with 18 points and the same number of rebounds to power the Bullpups in finishing elims with a perfect 14-0 record. John Lloyd Clemente and Daniel Atienze each dropped 15 points in support, while former Batang Gilas player Rhayyan Amsali added 11 markers. Seeking to regain the crown it won two years ago, NU also bagged the thrice-to-beat incentive for sweeping the double-round eliminations. After a 10-point first quarter, DLSZ’s Aljun Melecio was held to eight points the rest of way as the Junior Archers settled for second place with an 11-3 card. Visayan product Jan Sobrevega and big man Markus Tongco each tallied 10 markers for the Green and White.

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: Bullpups one win away from elims sweep and outright Finals berth.

The following story is adapted from the press release by Ma’am Tessa Jazmines.

Only the De La Salle-Zobel Junior Archers stand in the way.  

National University inched closer to clinching an outright championship berth by clobbering University of the East, 94-60, yesterday this past Tuesday in the UAAP Season 78 Juniors’ Basketball Tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena. 

Daniel Atienza and the rest of the Bullpups are closing in on an outright Finals spot.

With the Bullpups coasting to a 71-37 lead entering the last 10 minutes of play, coach Jeff Napa had the opportunity for his starters to rest and gird up for their biggest battle ahead. Unbeaten in 13 contests, NU seeks to complete a double-round elimination sweep and claim the coveted thrice-to-beat advantage against DLSZ on Saturday also at the San Juan venue. It was business as usual for beanpole Justine Baltazar with his eye-popping 16 point, 16-rebound, 3-block effort to pace the Bullpups. 

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: Junior Archers join Bullpups in the Final Four as Ateneo and FEU stay in step

The following story is adapted from the press release by Ma’am Tessa Jazmines.

  
Justine Baltazar delivered another monster performance as National University moved within two victories of claiming an outright Finals berth with a 70-54 crushing of UP Integrated School yesterday in the UAAP Season 78 Juniors’ Basketball Tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena. Baltazar, one of the leading contenders for the season MVP honors, had another double-double effort of 13 points and 19 rebounds as the Bullpups streaked to their 12th straight win.

Seeking to regain the crown it won two seasons ago, NU will play winless University of the East on Wednesday before wrapping up its elimination round stint against De La Salle-Zobel on Saturday at the same venue.

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: Bullpups and Junior Archers continue to distance themselves from the rest of the field.

The following story is adapted from the press release by Ma’am Tessa Jazmines.

National University moved three wins of a season sweep and an outright Finals berth with an 82-58 blasting of University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 78 Juniors’ basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena yesterday.

Justine Baltazar and the Bullpups continue to dominate the Juniors' Division in #UAAP78.
(image from Richard Esguerra/ABSCBN)

The Bullpups, who are already assured of a post-season slot, led by as many as 31 points to extend their unbeaten run to 11 games. John Lloyd Clemente had 14 points, while Justine Baltazar chipped in 13 points and 12 rebounds for NU. The Tiger Cubs, meanwhile, drew a combined 21 points from Carl Lacap and Marlon Navarro.

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: Junior Archers score first-ever season sweep of Blue Eaglets even as Bullpups clinch Final Four slot!

Aljun Melecio was clutch as the Junior Archers completed an elims sweep of the Blue Eaglets.
(image by Richard Esguerra/ABS-CBN Sports)

The following story is adapted from the press release by Ma’am Tessa Jazmines.

John Lloyd Clemente shot 18 points, while Justine Baltazar added 15 points and 11 rebounds as National University claimed the first Final Four berth with a 67-51 win over Far Eastern University-Diliman yesterday in the UAAP Season 78 Juniors’ basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

Unbeaten in 10 starts, the Bullpups are actually on course for an outright championship berth if they win their remaining four elimination round matches. NU led by ten at the end of the first period and never looked back, leading by as many as 22 points in their route of FEU. The Baby Tams were paced by Eric Jabel, who was the lone Green & Gold player with double-figures. He tossed in 13 markers.

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: Eaglets snap slump even as Bullpups barely escape Baby Falcons

The following story is adapted from the press release by Ma’am Tessa Jazmines.

Justine Baltazar scored a buzzer-beating tip-in as National University nipped Adamson University, 68-66, yesterday in the UAAP Season 78 juniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

John Lloyd Clemente shot 20 points for NU, but it was Baltazar’s game-winner that spelled the difference for the Bullpups, who barely extended their perfect run to nine games. Former Batang Gilas player Rhayan Amsali added 15 points and 8 rebounds, while Baltazar had 12 points and 9 boards for NU.

The Baby Falcons outscored NU, 19-12, in the final frame to put a scare in the Bullpups. Coach Goldwin Monteverde’s wards were paced by Evan Agbong’s 13 points, while Ralf Chua and Jayson Celis each dropped a dozen markers.

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: NU Bullpups remain unscathed, dominate Eaglets anew

The following story is adapted from the press release by Ma’am Tessa Jazmines.

Justine Baltazar towered over the competition anew in the UAAP Juniors Division.
(image from Arvin Lim/ABSCBN Sports)

National University reasserted its mastery of defending champion Ateneo, 81-69, to extend its unbeaten run to eight games yesterday in the UAAP Season 78 juniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

John Lloyd Clemente finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Justine Baltazar had a monster outing of 15 points and 20 rebounds as the Bullpups followed up their 73-60 conquest of the Blue Eaglets in the first round.

NU led by as many as 25 points, 70-45, early in the fourth and never looked back. Gian Mamuyac paced Ateneo with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, SJ Belangel had 17 points and 7 boards, while Jolo Mendoza, who was held scoreless by NU in their first round meeting, and Shaun Ildefonso chipped in 14 markers apiece.

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: NU sweeps the first round!

Game reports from Ma’a Tessa Jazmines.

National University used a strong second half to turn back defending champion Ateneo, 73-60, and complete a first round sweep in the UAAP Season 78 juniors basketball tournament this past Saturday at the Blue Eagle Gym. 

Justine Baltazar has been a very dominant inside presence for NU this season.
(image by Arvin Lim/ABSCBN)

6’6 (his height listings vary; some say he is 6’8) Justine Baltazar imposed his will in the paint with 18 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 blocks, while John Lloyd Clemente also had 18 points as the Bullpups went perfect in seven starts but not after overturning a three-point deficit at the half.          

Jolo Mendoza was not a factor for the Blue Eaglets as last season's Finals MVP went scoreless in only 15 minutes due to an ankle injury. Batang Gilas standouts Gian Mamuyac, SJ Belangel, and RV Berjay paced Ateneo with 19, 11, and 10 points respectively.

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: NU and Ateneo remain atop the standings before pivotal clash this weekend

John Lloyd Clemente has been awesome for NU this season.
(image from Josh Albelda/ABSCBN)

Game reports from Ma’a Tessa Jazmines.


John Lloyd Clemente shot a career-high 24 points and pulled down 16 rebounds as National University turned back Far Eastern University-Diliman, 70-56, to extend its unbeaten run to six games Saturday in the UAAP Season 78 juniors basketball tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym. Big man Justine Baltazar also impressed for NU with 14 points and 7 boards, while JJ Sapinit led FEU’s losing cause with 21 markers.

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: NU’s unbeaten march continues as Eaglets and Junior Archers play catch-up

John Lloyd Clemente hardly missed as NU continued unmolested in UAAP Season 78’s Juniors’ basketball wars, making quick work of the Junior Warriors, while the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, DLSZ Junior Archers, and Adamson Baby Falcons each notched separate wings to remain within striking distance of the Bullpups

Shaun Ildefonso tries to go for an undergoal stab against UPIS.
(image by Gil Salandanan)

The following game reports are adapted from Ma’am Tessa Jazmines.

National University overpowered University of the East, 89-33, to stay unbeaten over the weekend in the UAAP Season 78 Juniors’ basketball tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym. John Lloyd Clemente had 18 points and 5 rebounds, Muhammed Sarip added 14 points and 9 boards, while Karl Peñano tossed in 12 markers for the Bullpups, who improved to 5-0. No Junior Warrior scored in double digits, with Daniel Ramos’s 8 points leading the way.

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: Bullpups stay unbeaten as Ateneo, Zobel, and FEU stay in second

Big man Justine Baltazar continued to power NU in UAAP Season 78, leading the Bullpups to win #4, while contenders Ateneo, DLS-Zobel, and FEU also gained some ground with separate victories.

NU's tower of power: Justine Baltazar.
(image by Richard Esguerra/ABS-CBN)

The following game reports are adapted from Ma’am Tessa Jazmines.

National University coasted to a 77-65 win over UP Integrated School and strecthed its perfect run to four games yesterday in the UAAP Season 78 Juniors’ basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

John Lloyd Clemente had a superb all-around performance of 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Justine Baltazar tallied another double-double effort with 16 points and 17 rebounds.

Joint second placers De La Salle-Zobel, Ateneo, and Far Eastern University-Diliman, meanwhile, all posted their third victories to keep within distance of NU.

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: Bullpups grab solo lead as Eaglets get win #2

Last season’s losing finalists are on a mission, and so far they’ve been on-track, winning their third game in as many outings. Meanwhile, last season’s champs, the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, have gathered some momentum, winning their second game in a row. One strange thing that happened, though, was the UPIS Junior Maroons getting their third loss mainly because of a late scheduling change of which they seemed to be unaware. 

Aljun Melecio and the Junior Archers ran smack into a tough-as-nailz NU team.
(image by RJ Quiroz/Rektikano.net)

Here are the game reports from Ma’am Tessa Jazmines:

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: Jr Archers book 2nd win as Eaglets bounce back!

Jolo Mendoza and the rest of Ateneo rebounded from an opening day loss by beating the FEU Baby Tamaraws.
(image by JC Lapuz/Fabilioh)

Aljun Melecio overcame offensive struggles as De La Salle-Zobel vaulted to its second straight win with a 72-61 decision over UP Integrated School yesterday in the UAAP Season 78 juniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

Melecio, who scored 42 points in the Junior Archers’ 84-72 season-opening win against the Blue Eaglets Saturday, had 26 points this time on a 9-of-25 shooting. But Melecio somehow delivered an impressive all-around game with seven assists, six rebounds and five steals in 32 minutes of play for De La Salle-Zobel.

#UAAP78Jrs Roundup: Melecio drops 42 as Jr. Archers stun Eaglets

Aljun Melecio sizzled as De La Salle-Zobel shocked defending champion Ateneo, 84-71, in opening day action of the UAAP Season 78 juniors basketball tournament over the weekend at the Blue Eagle gym.

Melecio, playing his final season for the Junior Archers, scored 42 points on top of eight rebounds and three steals in a scintillating all-around performance.

The Blue Eaglets are tipped for a back-to-back title run even with the graduation of brothers Matthew and Mike Nieto.

Jolo Mendoza, last season’s Finals MVP, paced Ateneo with 16 points while Gian Mamuyac chipped in 11 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.

#UAAP77Jrs Finals: Eaglets Reclaim Crown in Emphatic Fashion!

With 1:12 to go in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 77 Juniors Finals, the Ateneo de Manila crowd started singing “Fly High” inside the San Juan Arena.

The Blue Eaglets were already up, 87-73, at that point. Command and control were on their side, and, quite literally, returning the Juniors crown to Loyola Heights was all just a matter of time.

All season long, the prize that the Blues have worked so hard to achieve was finally not only within reach, but practically ensured.

Eaglets win!!!

The road to this moment, however, was not easy. Oh, far from it.

The day after losing in Game 1 to the revitalized NU Bullpups, Ateneo’s Mike Nieto, Matt Nieto, and Jolo Mendoza had a workout and were treated to breakfast by no less than King Eagle himself Kiefer Ravena. Ravena offered the fruits of his past title romps to the Eaglets’ Big Three. No doubt he shared a word or two about his own experience losing Game 1 in 2010 after sweeping the elims.

Here and now in Game 3, the Nietos and Mendoza, just like Kiefer and his team did four seasons ago, didn’t let their golden chance slip away.