National University Nazareth School seized the solo lead in the UAAP Season 89 boys’ 16-and-under basketball tournament after edging erstwhile unbeaten De La Salle Zobel, 92-88, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Bullpups improved to 3-0, moving ahead of the Junior Archers, who dropped to 2-1, while the Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws remained at 2-0. NUNS also extended its winning streak to 19 games, dating back to its championship run in Season 88 last year.
Despite the victory, the defending champions’ performance left head coach Leo Pujante frustrated, as he stressed the importance of maintaining consistent effort throughout the game.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Hindi kami pwede mag-relax,” said Pujante. “Hindi natatapos yung game sa first half, sa first two quarters dahil may third and fourth pa. Kaya kailangan mag-start kami ng strong sa third. Yun pa naman ang sinabi ko eh, di ba, start strong third quarter. Yun pala kabila ang start strong.”
The Junior Archers, who opened the season with two straight wins following a winless campaign last year, faced their toughest challenge of the tournament against the defending champions.
The Bullpups came out firing, building a 25-point lead at 46-21 after Chandler Cano converted a layup with 4:28 remaining in the second quarter.
DLSZ responded emphatically in the third period. Fonzie Mercado, Andrei Francisco, Ice Purugganan, and David Dizon spearheaded the comeback, helping the Junior Archers pull even at 57-all midway through the quarter.
NUNS regained control in the fourth, with Jesse Arellano, Arnold Flores, Elijah Javier, Dwyane Enriquez, and Aaron Dalanan combining to give the Bullpups an 82-67 advantage with 5:12 left in the game.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The Junior Archers refused to go quietly, however, as Ice Purugganan, Mercado, Enzo Purugganan, Rye Villaruz, and James Enriquez trimmed the deficit to 84-82 with 2:27 remaining.
Flores, Andrie Lopez, and Arellano then delivered the decisive blows, joining forces in a 7-0 run that pushed NUNS ahead, 91-82, with 1:30 left and effectively sealed the victory.
Although the Bullpups remain unbeaten, Pujante said his team is determined to prove that it can defend its title even without last season’s standout Moussa Diakite.
“Siyempre iba last year, we had Moussa Diakite. This year we have to prove na hindi kami nag-champion dahil kay Moussa,” said Pujante.
The coach also lauded Arellano, a rookie from Antipolo City who led NUNS with 26 points, 18 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks.
“The way he plays — tatlong laro na — ’yan ang mga stats ni Moussa last year, di ba?” said Pujante.
Flores added 14 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Dalanan and Javier chipped in 13 and 10 points, respectively, to join Arellano in double figures for NUNS.
Villaruz paced DLSZ with 18 points, followed by Ice Purugganan with 17 and Mercado with 13.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. NUNS will face UP Integrated School at 8 a.m., followed by DLSZ’s clash with FEU-D at 10 a.m. Adamson University and Ateneo de Manila University will close the triple-header at 12 noon.
The Scores:
NUNS 92 — Arellano 26, Flores Jr. 14, Dalanan 13, Javier 10, Mayor 9, Cano 6, Enriquez 5, Lopez 5, Macoy 4, Genido 0, Dizon 0.
DLSZ 88 – Villaruz 18, I. Purugganan 17, Mercado 13, Quillo 9, Dizon 8, Enriquez 6, E. Purugganan 6, Paceno 6, Francisco 5, Noel 0.
Quarterscores: 29-16, 48-37, 69-63, 92-88.
