Ateneo, NU jrs force KO tiffs

MANILA, Philippines - Three-time defending champion Ateneo appeared to have been saving its best when it matters most and along with National University (NU), forced knockout matches for the finals slots in UAAP Season 74 juniors basketball yesterday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

Antonio Asistio had 14 points and Kristoffer Porter, Gab Capacio and Wilfredo Asuncion each had 10 markers as the Blue Eaglets, seeded fourth in the Final Four, brought down No. 1 seed Far Eastern University (FEU), 62-53.

The third-ranked Bullpups also brought their best game in their own semifinal duel with the second-seeded La Salle Zobel Junior Archers and scored a 66-52 rout to also send their match-up to a do-or-die game.

The KO matches are scheduled Tuesday with La Salle Zobel and NU taking on each other at 1 p.m. and FEU battling Ateneo anew at 3 at the Blue Eagle Gym. At 11 a.m., De La Salle meets FEU in the women’s KO semifinal game.

Jerie Pingoy scattered 19 points and Joshua Aguilon made 15 for FEU in the match that was played closely in the first half but went the Blue Eaglets’ way in the final two periods.

Four Bullpups finished in double figures with Ralph Napa topscoring with 17 and Raphael Atangan adding 14 points and nine rebounds, Paul Baliton 12 points and Paolo Rivero 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Only Gabriel Reyes finished in twin digits with 14 for the Junior Archers, who were outrebounded, 50 to 36, and were beaten in assists, 13 to 4, by the Bullpups.