MANILA – National University Bullpups captured the gold medal in the 2018 ASEAN School Games boys basketball after trouncing Malaysia 87-65 in the finals in the latter’s turf.
Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano led Bullpups with 20 points on 47.1 percent shooting while fellow national boys basketball team mainstay Terrence Fortea chipped in with 19 markers.
While he sat out the most part of the tournament due to an injury he sustained in the recent 2018 FIBA U-17 World Cup, Carl Tamayo had a decent contribution in the Wednesday game with 19 points.
Abadiano, a former St. Robert’s International Academy Panda Rockets standout, was glad the team achieved its goal of improving the Philippines’ silver medal finish last year.
“Siyempre masaya at nakamit namin iyong goal namin from the start pa lang na makuha iyong gold medal,” he told Panay News. “It was a total team effort for us kaya kami nag-champion.”
Bullpups was dominant from the start, surging to 29 early points before thwarting any run the home team attempted down the stretch to secure the top prize.
Also part of the Philippine delegation were Negrenses Reyland Torres and Harold Alarcon, Aaron Buensalida, Vince Cuajao, Dom Dayrit, John Felicida, Cyril Gonzales, Kevin Quiambao, and Joshua Ramirez.
On its way to the finals, the Goldwin Monteverde-mentored Bullpups scored lopsided victories over Brunei (142-19), Singapore (117-59) and Thailand (106-71)./PN
