National University Nazareth School emerged as the inaugural champions of the UAAP Season 86 Junior High School field, overcoming Far Eastern University-Diliman in a winner-take-all thriller.
However, their title defense in Season 87 took a hit as they struggled to maintain their winning identity, dropping to a 4-7 record with three games remaining.
Determined to keep the championship within their grasp, NUNS found its stride at the right moment.
The Bullpups finished the eliminations with a three-game win streak, securing a 7-7 record and the fourth spot in the standings to keep their title defense alive.
Their streak culminated in an 86-76 victory over De La Salle Zobel on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
While Mack Tadeo and Chester Tulabut played key roles in the win, it was the emergence of David Sabareza that helped propel the Bullpups’ charge.
His pivotal performance helped NUNS escape a tough situation against the Junior Archers.
Trailing by nine points, 60-69, in the fourth period, Sabareza spearheaded a 7-2 run, lifting NUNS to a four-point cushion, 78-74, with less than three minutes remaining. He then scored a dagger layup to seal the win for the Bullpups.
Thanks to his heroics and an Ateneo de Manila University loss to the University of Santo Tomas later in the day, NUNS clinched the final spot in the division’s Final Four.
While Sabareza acknowledged his timely performance, he credited his emergence to the Bullpups’ team chemistry—an essential factor in their championship win last season.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Linaro lang namin kung ano yung tunay namin na laro. At lumabas ‘yon dahil sa teamwork namin, yan yung dahilan kung bakit kami nagchampion last year at sana yun din maging puhunan namin this year,” the 15-year-old guard shared.
NUNS head coach Kevin de Castro was pleased to see Sabareza repaying the trust he had placed in him at such a crucial point in the team’s playoff chase.
Originally an off-the-bench spark plug, De Castro also recognized that Sabareza’s decision to step into a starting role was gradually paying off.
In eight starts out of their 14 elimination games, Sabareza averaged 10.71 points, 3.79 rebounds, 2.86 assists, and 1.43 steals.
“Personally, tinanong ko siya, saan ka ba comfortable, off the bench or starter? Nung una, parang nahihiya pa siya ‘eh. Pero eventually, sinabi niya as starter. Naniniwala ako may player na ganoon, may gusto off the bench or either starting five,” De Castro shared.
“Pinanindigan naman niya and tiwala naman ako sa kanya na kaya niya. Nung nagtryout pa lang ito, unang araw pa lang nakita ko na may potential yung bata na ito. Hindi naman niya ako pinahiya at medyo ginuide rin siya ng mga veterans niya.”
