Combo guard Terrence Fortea came off the bench in the first period and knocked in crucial baskets that pushed the Nazareth School-National University Bullpups into the lead, and into a 103-79 smashing of the University of the Philippine Integrated School Junior Maroons.
The 5’11 Fortea’s huge effort allowed his teammates to carry the Bullpups to their sixth win in seven outings at the end of the first round of the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) junior basketball tournament on Saturday at the Arena in San Juan.
The 16-year Batang Gilas standout went on to finish with 11 points for the Bullpups, who are at no. 2 and in contention for a Final Four semifinals seat.
“Sabi ni coach, pag galling ka sa bench, kailangan alert ka. Pag pasok sa court, ganado,” said Fortea, who is on his third year with the Bullpups.
Fortea unloaded eight points in the first period, and his triple in the last 4:58 capped a 14-5 run in the opening period. From there, the Bullpups took advantage of numerous turnovers that their man-to-man defense produced. They limited the Junior Maroons to 11 points in the first quarter for a 34-11 edge.
RJ Minerva tallied the 18 game-high points and eight rebounds for the Bullpups while Rhayyan Amsali made 13 points and seven boards.
“The boys did well in the first quarter. Good defense with our man-to-man. We scored more on their turnovers,” said assistant coach Tom Chua, speaking on behalf of Bullpups coach Goldwyn Monteverde.
John Allan Gregorio topscored for 32 points for the Junior Maroons, who are winless after seven games.
In other games, the Ateneo Blue Eaglets completed a seven-game sweep of the first round, smothering the La Salle Zobel Junior Archers, 87-63, with SJ Belangel leading with 23 points.
Enrico Manuel chipped in 10 of his 16 point output during a crucial break in the first period and Ateneo went on to take control of the game, 24-13.
RJ Abarrientos shot 23 points, and knocked in two of three triples in the extra period to lead the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws to a 96-91 triumph over the Adamson Baby Falcons.
After the Baby Falcons forced an extension, 82-all, Abarrientos and Xyrus Torres scored from the outside to start of 13-5 run that gave FEU a 95-87 edge in the last 1:27.
The Baby Tams are now in fourth at 4-3, while the Baby Falcons fell to fifth at 3-4. The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs, led by John Cansino with 32 points, prevailed over University of the East, 106-99.
This allowed the Tiger Cubs to improve their hold of third at 5-2.
The scores:
First game
FEU 96—Abarrientos 23, Gonzales 18, Boc 13, Torres 12, Sajonia 11, Alforque 10, Celso 6, Armendez 2, Ona 1, Mariano 0, Tolentico 0,
Adamson 91—Sabandal 23, An Doria 20, Manlapaz 16, Doria 8, Engbino 8, Baculio 6, Hanapi 6, Perez 4, Canoy 0, Prodigo 0, Sevilla 0.
Quarterscores: 16-19, 37-46, 82-64, 82-all, 96-91.
Second game
UST 106—Cansino 32, Narvasa 23, Palencia 13, Lina 10, Dolendo 9, Baquial 8, Villapando 5, Benzonan 2, de la Cruz 2, Anunanciacon 1, Co 1, Biag 0, Estrella 0.
UE 99—Miranda 36, Dichoso 14, Vinte 12, Dulalia 11, Angeles 7, Villarta 7, Almacen 5, Encelan 4, Policarpio 3, Lopez 0, Tajonera 0.
Quarterscores: 23-26, 53-50, 75-72, 106-99.
Third game
NU 103– Minerva 18, Amsali 13, Fortea 11, Dayrit 10, Javilonar 10, Gonzales 7, Felisilda 6, Pangilinan 6, Coyoca 5, Malonzo 5, Pradella 4, Vinoya 4, Manalang 2, Oczon 2.
UPIS 79—Gregorio 32, Santiago 22, Ralph Labao 8, Rafael Labao 7, Estrera 4, Villareal 3, Vergeire 3, Tupaz 0, Condalor 0, Lopez 0, de Liano 0.
Quarterscores: 34-11, 57-33, 84-50, 103-79.
Fourth game
Ateneo 87—Belangel 23, Manuel 16, Credo 13, Ildefonso 13, Sotto 11, Angeles 7, David 3, Chiu 1, Diaz 0, Escalona 0, Gusi 0, Jaymalin 0, Santos 0.
La Salle Zobel 63—Cortez 17, Vesagas 8, Carlos 7, Santos 6, Calimag 5, Pascual 5, Consejo 4, Escandor 4, Chavez 3, Barcuma 2, Bonalos 2, Buncayo 0, Favis 0, Terrado 0.
Quarterscores: 24-13, 52-28, 68-50, 87-63.
