MANILA -- National University (NU) inched closer to clinching an outright championship berth by clobbering University of the East (UE), 94-60, in the UAAP Season 78 juniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena on Wednesday.
With the Bullpups entering the last 10 minutes of play with a comfortable 71-37 lead, coach Jeff Napa rested his starters as they gird up for their biggest battle ahead.
Unbeaten in 13 games, NU will seek to complete a double-round elimination sweep and claim the coveted thrice-to-beat advantage against De La Salle-Zobel on Saturday at the San Juan venue.
It was business as usual for Justine Baltazar with 16 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks to pace the Bullpups.
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De La Salle-Zobel, priming up for its much-anticipated duel against NU, hammered out a 47-35 win over Adamson University to assure itself of the No. 2 slot in the Final Four.
The Junior Archers, who were led by Aljun Melecio with 14 points, improved to 11-2 slate.
Defending champion Ateneo de Manila Hisgh School (9-4) blasted University of Santo Tomas, 80-57 (3-10), while Far Eastern University-Diliman (8-5) downed UP Integrated School (2-11), 81-71, to formally clinch the remaining two spots in the semifinals.
The Baby Falcons were eliminated in the Final Four race with a 6-7 card.
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