Bullpups win third in row in Jumbo Cup

MANILA, Philippines - National University routed University of Santo Tomas, 73-57, to stretch its win run to three even as University of the Philippines Integrated School snapped a two-game skid with a 94-90 victory over Hope Christian High School in the second PCABL Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Cup at the Philippine Buddhacare Academy gym in Quezon City over the weekend.

The Bullpups seized control early as John Clemente sizzled with seven points to outscore the entire Tiger Cubs who were held to just five points in the first 10 minutes of play.

Clemente went on to finish with 17 points for the Bullpups who survived UST’s comeback in the third quarter that saw them close to within 50-45 behind Ian Japzon and Bryan Lacap.

Three other NU players scored in double figures with Neil Tolentino adding 11 markers and Justin Baltazar and Carl Penano chipping in 10 points each.

The Junior Maroons, on the other hand, leaned on the fourth quarter explosion of Allane Barles and Javy De Llano to hold off their Hope Christian rivals in the tournament sponsored by Smart Telecom, Advance Solutions Inc., Hapee Toothpaste, Fed Seal, Powerhouse, CW Home Depot and Powerbest Marketing.

Barles knocked in 10 of his 18 points in the fourth period while De Llano added seven markers to lead all UP scorers with 19 points. Harvey Pagsanjan paced Hope with 28 points, including 15 in the payoff period.

The two other games ended in routs as Ateneo clobbered Letran, 88-36, for its second straight after losing to NU in the opener, while Far Eastern University crushed University of the East, 99-58.

Bryan Andrade led four Ateneo players in double figures with 17 points while LJ Gonzales and JJ Sapinit paced the Baby Tamaraws by scoring 18 points each for their second straight win.