MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Just like they've been the entire UAAP Season 78 juniors basketball tournament, the NU Bullpups were unstoppable in Game 3 of the finals, trouncing the DLSZ Junior Archers, 96-75, to win the league championship on Friday, March 4, at the San Juan Arena.
The one-sided title-clincher over La Salle Zobel capped off a tremendous 16-1 season for the Bullpups, whose lone defeat was in Game 2, 71-60, against the Archers.
Justine Baltazar came in second place in the league MVP race, but took home the Finals MVP award with averages of 16 points, 20.3 rebounds and 3 blocks a game in the series.
Baltazar scored 18 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked 4 shots in Game 3, capping off a superb season which was made more difficult by a right foot injury he had been playing through.
John Lloyd Clemente also played well with 15 points and 15 rebounds on Friday, while Winderlich Coyoca had 20 points and 6 boards.
NU shot 51% from the floor while Zobel hit only 33%. The Bullpups also outshot their opponents from downtown, 38% to 29%.
In the rebounding department, NU utilized its height advantage by winning the boards, 58-36.
League MVP Aljun Melecio struggled with 22 points on 7-of-23 shooting but also recorded 7 boards plus 6 dimes. – Rappler.com