Saturday, February 14, 2015

NU snatches Game 1 of UAAP Juniors Finals

The air of invincibility was shattered yesterday afternoon, as National University defeated Ateneo in Game 1 of the UAAP Juniors finals at the Filoil Flying V Arena, 76-72.

The defending champions withstood a fourth quarter charge from the Blue Eaglets, highlighted by a rejection from Mark Dyke on Mike Nieto.

The national team youth standout finished with 20 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks. while Philip Manalang and John Clemente each added 17 and 14 markers. The duo combined to score 13 in the final period, helping ice the game for head coach Jeff Napa.

Napa praised his team's supporting cast, who stepped up to the plate. Justine Baltazar grabbed 17 rebounds and blocked six shots, while Mark Ferreras netted a couple of key baskets in the fourth to avert a possible collapse, after leading by as large as 14 in the third.

The MVP led all scorers with 25 points, but was held scoreless for the final seven minutes of the game. The boys of Joe Silva were unable to provide scoring support to their national team youth standouts, as the trio of the Nieto twins and Jolo Mendoza combined to score all but fourteen of Ateneo's points.

Game 2 is slated to take place on Tuesday, 2pm, at the Arena.

The scores:
NU (76) - Dyke 20, Clemente 17, Manalang 14, Ferreras 6, Sta. Ana 6, Atienza 5, Baltazar 3, Mina 3, Saquian 2, De Guzman 0, Calma 0, Camaso 0, Callejo 0, Claveria 0.
Ateneo (72) - Nieto Mi. 25, Nieto Ma. 19, Mendoza 14, Andrade 5, Mamuyac 5, Joson 4, Ildefonso 0, Hassan 0, Ramos 0, Eustaquio 0, Salandanan 0.
Quarterscores: 19-19, 36-31, 56-49, 76-72

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