For nearly four decades, the unparalleled feat stood untouched.
Ten three-pointers in a single UAAP basketball game was long considered rare air. It was a mark first set by University of the East legend and three-time champion Allan Caidic.
National University head coach Jeff Napa tied the record in Season 65 (August 22, 2002), while Alvin Pasaol and Terrence Romeo came close to joining the elite company. On the women’s side, De La Salle University’s Luisa San Juan also nailed 10 threes in Season 87 (September 25, 2024).
It was an exclusive three-member club — until Sunday morning, January 25.
With Napa watching from the sidelines — and giving his blessing to chase the record — National University Nazareth School’s ‘Mr. Fireball’ Miekho Natinga shattered it in emphatic fashion.
The 19-year-old sharpshooter from Valencia, Bukidnon, erupted for 13 three-pointers en route to a 44-point performance, powering the Bullpups past the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 124-41, in the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym.
For Napa, who also serves as a consultant to NUNS head coach Kevin de Castro, there was no regret in seeing his own record surpassed. Instead, there was pride.
After all, while his name may no longer top UAAP’s record books, the historic feat remained planted in familiar stomping grounds — Sampaloc.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Hindi ko na iniisip yung record na ‘yon [dahil] napaglipasan na ako ‘eh. Ewan ko, hindi ko na matandaan ‘yon, pero siguro ‘yon lang, yung record na ‘yon, meant to be broken talaga,” Napa told Tiebreaker Times in an exclusive interview.
“I am happy na player pa rin namin yung naka-break ng record para at least maging good boost ng confidence doon sa bata para sa itong stretch ng tournament, maging maganda yung turnaround namin.”
Beyond the record-breaking performance, Napa is simply glad to witness Natinga’s heroic turnaround from a sluggish start to Season 88, which saw him average only 3.25 points and 1.0 assist while making just one of his seven attempts from beyond the arc.
The Bulldogs lifer also hopes that his career-high outing will boost Natinga’s confidence moving forward, as NUNS continue to navigate the tournament without Season 87 key contributors Collins Akowe, Mac Alfanta, and Migs Palanca.
“Malaking boost ng confidence sa kanya kasi for the past few games, siya yung cinacall out ng attention within the team ‘eh. Si Miekho kasi yung one of our leaders talaga rito na kailangan mag-step up. Hopefully, yon nga, maging consistent siya through our last games here sa first round and through sa second round,” Napa shared.
For Natinga, none of this would have been possible without the guidance of Napa and De Castro, who worked hand-in-hand in the second half to make sure ‘Mr. Fireball’ got the looks he needed to shatter a 40-year-old UAAP record.
Looking ahead, such a performance could not have come at a better time. The Bullpups aim to close the first round strong when they face perennial contender University of the East Junior Warriors and defending champions University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs.
NUNS looks to build separation from the pack heading into the second round, as the Bullpups are tied with the De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers for third place with identical 3-2 win-loss records.
“Nagpa-sub na nga ako kanina kasi talagang nahihiya na ako sa mga teammates ko kasi puro tira. Pero ayon nga, sabi nila coach Jeff at coach Kevin, na sige i-tira mo lang,” Natinga said. “Hindi ko inaakala na mabe-beat ko yung record ni coach Jeff. Sobrang saya lang talaga sa achievement na ito.
“Malaking kumpyansa hindi lang para sa akin, kung hindi para sa team namin ito kasi kailangan namin manalo sa UE at UST. Yung itong kumpyansa na ito, dadalhin ko ito doon sa games na ‘yon.”
