By Dugout Philippines
SAN JUAN, MM--John Lloyd Clemente shot 18 points while Justine Baltazar added 15 points and 11 rebounds as National University claimed the first Final Four berth with a 67-51 win over Far Eastern University-Diliman on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 78 juniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena.
Unbeaten in 10 starts, the Bullpups are actually on course for an outright championship berth if they win their remaining four elimination round matches.
Aljun Melecio had another splendid all-around game with 22 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals as De La Salle-Zobel reasserted its mastery of Ateneo, 80-73, opening a two-game lead over the defending champions in the race for the second twice-to-beat slot in the semifinals.
The Junior Archers swept the Blue Eaglets in their head-to-head to book their eighth victory against two losses.
Adamson University also boosted its Final Four bid with a 80-26 rout of University of the East, while UP Integrated School won its second game of the season via a 82-71 decision of University of Santo Tomas.
The Baby Falcons, whose reserves Ferdinand Asuncion, Rence Padrigao and Raygan Santos outscored the entire Junior Warriors squad by combining for 33 points, remained on track for a second straight Final Four stint with a 6-4 card.
Tying Ateneo in third place, Adamson trails La Salle-Zobel by two games in the race for the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.
The Baby Tamaraws crashed out of the Magic 4 with their fifth loss in 10 contests, a game behind the Baby Falcons and the Eaglets.
The Tiger Cubs dropped to 3-7 slate, putting themselves on the ropes, while the Junior Maroons rose to 2-8. Last place UE has now lost 10 straight.
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