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UAAP: NU Bullpups pull off comeback win in Finals game one versus Ateneo Blue Eaglets


The National University Bullpups stormed back to take game one of the UAAP Juniors Finals in overtime against the Ateneo High School Blue Eaglets, 101-93, Monday at the FilOil Flying V Arena.

NU swept the elimination round, posting a perfect 14-0 record, and giving them a thrice-to-beat advantage. They're now a win away from the title, as Ateneo unraveled late.

The Blue Eaglets led for most of regulation, and were up by 11, 86-75, with 2:54 left in the fourth quarter, but NU went on a 10-0 blast to make Ateneo sweat.

A five-second inbounds violation by the Eaglets turned possession over to NU, 86-85, 42 seconds left. Hubert Cani then split at the line to force an extra five minutes, as Ateneo High went scoreless to close out the fourth.

In the overtime period, Jolo Mendoza got Ateneo on the board first, with a charity, but NU proceeded to score five straight, interrupted only by a free throw from MVP Thirdy Ravena, 91-88, NU up.

Ravena also gave his team their first field goal of OT, a triple with 43 seconds left, to cut Ateneo's deficit to four, 95-91, but NU used a 6-2 run to close this one out, with splits at the line by Mark Dyke forging the final score.

NU's trio of Mythical Five selections led the way for them, as Hubert Cani posted 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. John Paul Cauilan added 17 points and 12 boards, while Mark Dyke also compiled a double-double with 16 markers and 20 caroms.

Ateneo got 30 big points from Aaron Black, son of former Blue Eagles coach Norman Black, thanks to a 15-of-22 shooting clip. Black also had eight boards and a block. Thirdy Ravena compiled a triple-double, 14 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists, while Philippine Under-16 squad teammate Matt Nieto, Mike Nieto and Jolo Mendoza combined for 39 markers.

The Bullpups got 35 attempts at the foul line and made 24, versus Ateneo's 9-of-15 clip. They also scored more transition points, 22-15, and turnover points, 19-11.

It was a familiar result for the second-ranked Eaglets. In the last game of both these teams in the second round, Ateneo lost to NU 82-81, also in overtime. - AMD, GMA News


The scores:


NU 101 - Cani 24, Mosqueda 22, Cauilan 17, Dyke 16, Battad 13, Go 4, Grealy 3, Castillo 2, Manalang 0, Lopena 0, Lapiz 0

AHS 93 - Black 30, Matt Nieto 18, Ravena 14, Mike Nieto 11, Mendoza 10, Escaler 8, Jose 2, Ramos 0, Magpoc 0, Calilung 0

Quarter scoring: 21-25, 37-45, 57-66, 86-86, 101-93

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