THE La Salle Zobel Junior Archers struck hard from the outside and turned the tables on the National University Bullpups, 71-60, in Game 2 of the 78th University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ junior basketball finals at the Arena in San Juan.
Marco Sario hit a game-high 16 points, including two of three triples at the start of the third period, allowing the Junior Archers to pull away by 11 before the fourth quarter got under way, 47-36.
The Bullpups, who have a thrice-to-beat incentive over the Junior Archers, drew 25 points from John Lloyd Clemente, who scored 14 points in third, with his two treys, three-point play and two charities keeping NU within range, 50-55.
Clemente’s outside shots in the fourth kept NU close, 56-57, early in the fourth, but a triple from Miguel Fortuna and Markus Tongco’s layup in the last five minutes gave the Alabang-based Archers a chance to move ahead again.
“We made the unbelievers believers. They just wrote us off after Game 1. We’re out to prove that we’re worthy challengers,” said Junior Archers’ coach Boris Aldeguer.
Season MVP Aljun Melecio topscored with 14 points for the Junior Archers, making nine in the third, with his charity and triple at the start of the third shattering a 30-all halftime deadlock.
MR Romero had 14 points and 10 rebounds, with his jumper in the final 5:17 paving the way for the Junior Archers’ 51-39 spread in the last 4:36.