NATIONAL University used a strong second half to turn back defending champion Ateneo, 73-60, and complete first round sweep in the UAAP Season 78 juniors basketball tournament yesterday at the Blue Eagle gym.
Justine Baltazar imposed his will in the paint with 18 points, 16 rebounds, and five blocks while John Lloyd Clemente also had 18 points as the Bullpups went perfect in seven starts but not after overturning a three-point deficit at the half.
Jolo Mendoza was not a factor for the Blue Eaglets, as the last season’s Finals MVP went scoreless in only 15 minutes due to a knee injury.
Ateneo dropped to 5-2 in a tie with De La Salle-Zobel, which absorbed a 66-79 loss to Adamson University.
EJ Agbong played his best game of the season with 20 points and 15 rebounds for the Baby Falcons, who improved to 4-3 card.
Adamson moved in a tie with Far Eastern University-Diliman, a 61-40 winner over University of Santo Tomas, in joint fourth heading to the second round which starts on January 9 after an almost-month long Christmas break. In the curtain raiser, UP Integrated School entered the win column with a 104-69 overpowering of University of the East.
The Tiger Cubs finished the round with a 2-5 slate, the Junior Maroons are now at 1-6, while the Junior Warriors remained winless in seven outings.