THE National University Bullpups will seek a much-needed second win against the La Salle Zobel Junior Archers when they meet for a third time at 2 p.m. Friday in Game 3 of the 78th University Athletic Association of the Philippines Junior Basketball Championship at the Arena in San Juan.
The Junior Archers denied the Bullpups that chance when they struck hard from outside in a 71-60 Game 2 win at the Arena in San Juan.
The time around, the NU Bullpups will have to score more from the outside and match La Salle-Zobel’s shooting if they are to claim their second crown in three years.
In Game 2, NU fared badly from the outside, hitting only 19 out of 62 field goal attempts, considering that they are the leading scorers this season.
On the other hand the Junior Archers’ adjustments on their zone defense can still work wonders for them as they try force a deciding Game 4.
“We hope to get our shape back and step up our game this Friday,” said Junior Archers’ coach Boris Aldeguer.
Last week, the Junior Archers had 13 fastbreak points, while making 41 perimeter points.
The Bullpups, who have a thrice-to-beat incentive over the Junior Archers, drew 25 points from John Lloyd Clemente.
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas finished the first round with a 25-21, 25-22, 25-21 upset victory over La Salle in the women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at The Arena.
They were playing catch up most of the time, but the Tigresses found just enough energy to book their third win in seven matches, ending a five-game losing skid against the Lady Spikers.
EJ Laure fired 13 hits, Cherry Rondina added 11 points and 10 digs, while RJ Rivera, playing as libero for the second time this season, collected 13 digs for UST.
Earlier, University of the Philippines tied Far Eastern University at third place, posting a 25-19, 25-21, 25-20 victory over National University.