MANILA – National University-Manila Bullpups repeated as champions in the Chooks-to-Go NBTC League National Finals after a 95-83 win over La Salle Green Hills-Mandaluyong Greenies on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Carl Tamayo finished with double-double 24 points and 18 rebounds en route to being named as Finals MVP. Terrence Fortea and Cyril Gonzales also fired 23 and 14 points, respectively.
Negrense Reyland Torres also made his contributions for the Bullpups as he wound up with double-double 12 points and 16 rebounds, while Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano had 10 markers.
“Everything na naa-achieve namin, sobrang saya kami,” said Bullpups head coach Goldwin Monteverde. “Every tournament naman, we really prepare kaya masaya kami for this.”
From a 21-all score after the first 10 minutes, the Bullpups went on a 15-2 rampage behind the trio of Tamayo, Fortea and Abadiano to suddenly left the Greenies behind at 36-23.
The Greenies did not easily gave up as they rallied to as close as 57-62 late in the third quarter but Fortea and Tamayo joined forces in a 5-1 counter that re-increased Bullpups’ lead to 67-58.
Inand Fornilos showed the way with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks while Joshua David contributed 17 markers, six boards, and two assists for the losing Greenies.
The Bullpups reached the finals after defeating San Beda University-Manila in the semis, 91-90, on a game-winner by Abadiano, while Greenies edged Far Eastern University-Manila, 87-77./PN
