MANILA – National University Bullpups leaned on the exploits of Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano as it ruled the 7th Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship recently at the SGS gym in Quezon City.
The Iloilo City native Batang Gilas mainstay waxed hot with 27 points as the Bullpups pounded the De La Salle Greenhills Greenies, 107-87, in a one-sided championship match.
Abadiano, a former standout of St. Robert’s International Academy Panda Rockets, was named as the co-Finals MVP along with Terrence Fortea, who contributed 28 markers in the match.
“I am just happy to be able to help the team win another championship this year,” Abadiano said. “Hopefully, we can bring along our success here to the UAAP juniors basketball.”
It was still a close fight in the first two quarters before the Bullpups mustered a huge 34-20 run in the third period behind Abadiano, Fortea and Kevin Quiambao to pull away for good.
Quiambao, who finished with 21 points and 19 rebounds, emerged tournament MVP and was part of the mythical selection along with NU teammate Cyril Gonzales, San Beda’s Anfernee Estacio, FEU’s RJ Abarrientos and La Salle’s Inand Fornillos.
The title was the fifth for the Goldwin Monteverde-mentored Bullpups, who ruled the PCABL, Palarong Pambansa, ASEAN School and the NBTC National Final – the last also against the Greenies.
On their way to the championship round, the Bullpups disposed last year’s champions San Beda University Red Cubs, 89-78, while the Greenies edged Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws, 72-66.
Meanwhile, the Red Cubs salvaged some measure of pride by edging the Baby Tamaraws, 78-76, in the battle-for-third place game./PN
