The National U Bullpups banked on their defense to defeat last season finals rival De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers, 63-52, and secure at least a playoff spot in the Final Four of UAAP Season 79 Juniors basketball tournament.

Winderlich Coyoca and Karl Peñano combined for 25 points to help the Bullpups get its 8th win this season.

Meanwhile, in an interview, NU Bullpups Head Coach Jeff Napa thinks the team still needs improvement and consistency to successfully defend the UAAP crown.

“We can’t afford to play this way coming into our next game. We have to remind our boys that we can’t relax. We expected Zobel to keep it close, but through our experience and defense, we can really accomplish anything.Our focus now is on how to improve every game and we’ll take it from there.” Napa said.

NU opened the game with eight unanswered points, but failed to sustain its strong start as La Salle kept it close until the third canto. But NU’s defense was on point down the stretch and held La Salle to just two points in the final five minutes. The Bullpups, with their 8-1 win-loss card,is now sharing the top spot with Adamson Baby Falcons.