Can the Bullpups finish the job or will the Blue Eaglets live to fight another day?
The Nazareth School-National University (NSNU) Bullpups go for the UAAP Juniors crown when they face the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eaglets in Game 2 of the UAAP Juniors Finals on Friday (February 22).
The game airs LIVE on ABS-CBN S+A, S+A HD, LIGA, LIGA HD, iWant, and
sports.abs-cbn.com from the FilOil Flying V Centre at 3 pm.
The Bullpups bucked a halftime deficit and won 70-58 in last Monday's (February 18) Game 1 by outscoring the Blue Eaglets 28-15 in a pivotal third quarter led by Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao, their answer to the towering Ateneo frontline of Kai Sotto and Geo Chiu. With the timely sniping of Terrence Fortea and Gerry Abadiano’s steady play, the Bullpups look closer to recapturing the UAAP Juniors diadem.
The Blue Eaglets, meanwhile, have to make the necessary adjustments to stay alive and defend the crown they won over the Bullpups last season. Season MVP Sotto was outplayed with five turnovers despite a double-double of 16 points and 15 rebounds. Playmaker Forthsky Padrigao, likewise, tallied eight turnovers in his Finals debut.
ABS-CBN Sports analyst Danica Jose believes that it is an uphill battle for Ateneo despite having the best player on the floor in the 7’1” Sotto.
“I guess it’s safe to say that NU has been effective with their gameplan against Ateneo, which is to keep the back court pressured to delay the Eaglets’ attack centered on Kai. Ateneo has never beaten NU in three tries despite the presence of Sotto and Chiu. Although we can never discount the fact that the Finals is a different story altogether, for sure Ateneo will make the necessary adjustments and of course they have the championship experience,” she explained.
Will the Bullpups finally reclaim their crown? Or will Ateneo force a decider?
UAAPJuniors basketball action continues as the Finals plays its second game on Friday (February 22) with the NSNU Bullpups trying to dethrone the Ateneo Blue Eaglets from their perch at 3 pm. All the action will be airing LIVE from the FilOil Flying V Centre on S+A, S+A HD, LIGA, LIGA HD with streaming available at
sports.abs-cbn.com and iWant.
For more stories and news on UAAP Juniors basketball and the bright young hoopers of the country, follow @ABSCBNSports on Twitter and Facebook or visit
sports.abs-cbn.com. For updates, follow @ABSCBNPR on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram or visit
www.abscbnpr.com.