Laro bukas: (FilOil Flying V Arena)

2 p.m. – ADMU vs. NU (jrs. finals)

Nabigong mapasama sa Mythical Five, nagpakitang-gilas si Jolo Mendoza kung saan ay umiskor siya ng 20 puntos upang pamunuan ang Ateneo sa paggapi sa defending champion National University (NU), 78-76, at makahakbang palapit sa asam na pagbawi sa titulo sa ginaganap na finals ng UAAP Season 77 juniors basketball tournament sa FilOil Flying V Arena sa San Juan City.

Nakabuwelta ang Blue Eaglets sa natamong 72-76 pagkabigo sa championship opener na tumapos sa kanilang naitalang 14-game winning streak.

Bukod dito, naibalik din nila ang kanilang bentahe sa serye kung saan ay kailangan silang talunin ng Bullpups ng tatlong beses.

"Well, I'm a coach that doesn't like excuses. I don't think that long break (after the 14-game sweep) really affected us," ani Ateneo coach Joe Silva.

Makakamit ng Eaglets ang target na ika-19 titulo kung maipapanalo nila ang Game 3.

Nag-ambag sa naturang panalo si Matthew Nieto ng 18 puntos, 4 rebounds at 3 assists, habang nagdagdag naman ang kakambal niya at nahirang na season MVP na si Mike Nieto ng double-double 16 puntos at 12 rebounds.

"In Game 1 we were really tight. We were so excited we wanted to win but we forgot how we do it. So I just told the boys let's just enjoy the game, do things right and let's go back what we do best, having fun and share the ball," ayon pa kay Silva.

Nanguna naman para sa NU si Philip Manalang na mayroong 19 puntos kasunod si Mark Dyke na may 12 puntos 16 rebounds at 3 assists.

Ang iskor:

ADMU (78) - Mendoza 20, Nieto Ma. 18, Nieto Mi. 16, Mamuyac 10, Ildefonso 6, Andrade 4, Joson 2, Ramos 2, Bernardo 0, Eustaquio 0, Hassan 0, Rosales 0, Salandanan 0.

NU (76) - Manalang 19, Clemente 12, Dyke 12, Baltazar 10, Ferreras 8, Mina 7, Sta. Ana 6, De Guzman 2, Atienza 0, Callejo 0, Calma 0, Camaso 0, Claveria 0, Saquian 0.

Quarterscores: 19-18, 40-36, 67-54, 78-76.