Defending champion National University Nazareth School overwhelmed Adamson University, 107-73, to keep its spotless record intact in the UAAP Season 89 16-and-under basketball tournament on Tuesday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
It was the Bullpups’ sixth straight win of the season and their 22nd consecutive victory dating back to last year.
Andrie Lopez, a 5-foot-10 forward from Tagum City, set a new season-high with 30 points on 14-for-23 shooting from the field. The Tagum City native also came up with an equally impressive defensive feat, recording eight steals in the contest.
“Happy po ako kasi ngayon lang po ako nakapaglaro sa UAAP at nakuha ko ‘yung puntos na ganyang kalaki,” Lopez said.
Jessy Arellano also delivered a solid performance for the Bullpups with a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds, while Kobe Genido finished with 15 points and seven assists.
Aaron Dalanan and Martin Macoy rounded out NUNS’ double-digit scorers with 10 points apiece.
NUNS led by as many as 43 points, 102-59, in the fourth quarter.
The Bullpups scored 47 points off the Baby Falcons’ 36 turnovers, while their defense limited Adamson to 27 fewer field-goal attempts than NUNS.
After building a 21-point lead in the second quarter, the Bullpups remained relentless and poured in 30 points in the third period alone.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Earlier, De La Salle Zobel came away with a statement win over University of the East, 68-54.
Fresh from an 86-57 home victory over the UPIS Junior Fighting Maroons last Saturday, the Junior Archers continued their upward climb.
“We lost two in a row, so I think that game against UP on our home court was a good way to gain our momentum back and to work better as a team,” said Rye Villaruz.
DLSZ improved to 4-2, forcing a three-way tie with UE and the FEU-D Baby Tamaraws for second place in the standings.
Enzo Purugganan led La Salle with a game-high 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
“In the first half, I felt like we were still trying to get our rhythm. In the second half, I knew that I needed to go all-out so we could get the win,” added Villaruz, who scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half.
The Junior Archers pulled away in the third quarter, taking a 13-point lead into the final period, 59-46, with Purugganan and Villaruz powering the surge.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
UE was held to single-digit scoring in the third quarter as La Salle stretched its advantage.
The Junior Red Warriors went 0-for-20 from three-point range, becoming the first team this season to go scoreless from beyond the arc.
La Salle also held UE to its lowest scoring output of the season.
Austin Delos Santos was notably brought out of the game on a stretcher following an apparent back injury after colliding with an opponent while diving for the ball with 3:48 left in the first quarter.
Adamson slipped to seventh in the standings with a 1-5 record.
Jaden Roxas paced UE with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Kurt Mercado added 12 points in the loss.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Four Baby Falcons finished in double figures, led by Kobe Edrada with 19 points. Zach Caintic and Henri Subido chipped in 12 points each, while Carl Espiritu finished with 10.
The Scores:
Third Game:
DLSZ 77 – E. Purugganan 16, Villaruz 15, I. Purugganan 11, Enriquez 8, Mercado 6, Santiago 6, Dizon 2, Quillo 2, Paceno 2, Francisco 0, Noel 0, Tabu 0.
UE 69 – Roxas 24, K. Mercado 12, Dizon 7, Mallabo 6, Ancheta 5, Aguilar 5, J. Mercado 4, Pontipedra 2, Velayo 0, Sena 0, Delos Santos 0, Redulfa 0.
Quarterscores: 21-22, 42-36, 59-46, 68-54.
Fourth Game:
NUNS 107 – Lopez 30, Genido 15, Arellano 15, Dalanan 10, Macoy 10, Flores 7, Geron 6, Tundag 5, Enriquez 4, Cano 3, Pangan 2, Osorio 0, Garcia 0, Dizon 0.
AdU 73 – Edrada 19, Caintic 12, Subido 12, Espiritu 10, Delos Santos 4, Bulan 4, Cads 4, Maycong 3, Timtiman 3, Gayatin 2, De. Sepnio 0, Dw. Sepnio 0, Thompson 0.
Quarterscores: 25-15, 57-36, 87-49, 107-73.
