Baby Tams face Bullpups in final

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning champion National University and Far Eastern University disposed of their respective Final Four rivals to arrange a showdown for the UAAP juniors basketball crown for the second straight year.

Jerie Pingoy, set to clinch the MVP plum for the second year in row, and Joshua Aguilon shot 19 points apiece as the top-seeded Baby Tamaraws bundled out the No. 4 Ateneo Blue Eaglets, 70-67, at The Arena in San Juan.

Hubert Cani sizzled with 21 points and hauled down six rebounds while Raphael Atangan chipped in 18 points, four assists and three blocks as the second-ranked Bullpups cruised to a 78-66 victory over third seed University of Santo Tomas.

FEU and NU begin their best-of-three series on Sunday, also at The Arena.

The Baby Tams are out to even things up with the Bullpups.

In the women’s division, Snow Peñaranda scored 18 points and pulled down 13 rebounds as No. 3 Adamson hacked out a 68-61 victory over fourth seed Ateneo in the first step-ladder match.

Jinky Balasta had 17 points while Princess Cochico had 13 points and 12 boards for the Lady Falcons.

Adamson will take on second-ranked La Salle in the second stepladder match tomorrow.