THE National University Bullpups and the Letran Squires fought off separate rivals last Saturday to formally earn quarterfinal slots in the 15th Fr. Martin Cup Division 2 Basketball Tournament at the St. Placid gymnasium inside San Beda-Manila campus in Mendiola.
Kevin Quiambao fired 19 points, while James Pradella contributed 16 points for the Bullpups as they stopped the Malayan Red Robins, 98-57, in Group B of the junior division.
The Squires drew big baskets from Justine Latonio and Jethro Cerveza in turning back the Rich Golden Shower Montesorri School Spartans, 75-72, in Group A of another junior contest.
The two teams, along with the Spartans reached the quarterfinals, which begins this weekend.
The Bullpups topped Group B with their 6-1 win-loss record. They will meet San Beda-Manila B at 9:30 a.m. in a crossover quarterfinal encounter this Saturday.
Latonio and Cerveza drilled in 14 and 13 points for the Squires, who took the top Group A berth with their 6-1 win-loss slate.
The Spartans, led by John Ospeg with 13, settled for third place and advanced to the quarterfinals with a 5-2 record.
The Squires take on San Beda-Rizal A at 12:30 p.m. also on Saturday while the Spartans, will meet the Diliman Preparatory School Baby Blue Dragons at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Meanwhile, top Group B qualifier Adamson University meets Group B rival NU-B in a senior quarterfinal match with La Consolacion College on Sunday at 8 a.m.
The Letran Knights take on the Diliman College Blue Dragons at 9:30 a.m., while San Beda-A tangles with NU-B.