Redemption-seeking squads University of Santo Tomas and National University Nazareth School scored emphatic wins to close the opening weekend of the UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Basketball Tournament, Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena in Manila.
Malian foreign-student athlete Moussa Diakite and the Bullpups ran roughshod over defending champions University of the East Junior Warriors, 86-64.
Meanwhile, Season 87 runner-ups Tiger Cubs cruised past the University of the Philippines Integrated School Fighting Maroons, 114-61.
Diakite, a 6-foot-10 center from N’Gabacoro Droit in Mali, shone in his UAAP debut for NUNS. He posted a near triple-double of 15 points, nine blocks, and eight rebounds against a UE side that retained only team captain Goodluck Okebata from last season’s championship squad.
With nine blocks, eight of which came in the first half, Diakite nearly tied the UAAP high school basketball record for most blocks in a single game — a feat held by former Ateneo stalwart Kai Sotto, who recorded 11 blocks against NUNS in Season 80 on February 23, 2018.
“Redemption time, ‘yon lang yung sinabi ko sa mga bata na… Hindi ko sinabi sa kanila na Final Four lang — we’re looking for the championship. Kasi pag sinabi mo na Final Four lang, baka after Final Four, hindi na sila umangat,” said new 16-and-under Bullpups head coach Leo Pujante, who took over from Kevin de Castro — who will now focus on their 19-and-under team.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UE rallied in the second quarter from an early 21-point deficit, trimming the gap to 42-30, but holdover David Sabareza sparked a late 7-2 run to give NUNS a 49-32 advantage at halftime.
That momentum carried into the third quarter, where a thunderous dunk from Diakite and an Ian Manalo reverse layup capped a 19-5 blitz that extended NUNS’ lead to 68-37 — a cushion that sealed the outcome, spoiling the debut of UE head coach Matthew Sia, who replaced Andrew Estrella in the off-season.
Laguna native Mark Arzola finished with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, six rebounds, two steals, and one assist. Meanwhile, Sabareza added 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Nick Pena contributed 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists, with Clark Khobuntin and Dwayne Enriquez chipping in six points each.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, the Tiger Cubs overcame the promotion of Dustin Bathan and Jhon Canapi to the 19-and-under ranks, as well as the unexpected departure of Andwele Cabanero to Letran, who had powered UST’s runner-up finish in Season 87.
UST leaned on a balanced attack led by Miguel Jubilado and newcomer Rowie Cabañero — cousin of Andwele and Growling Tiger Nic — to join FEU-D, Adamson, and NUNS as early leaders in the eight-team field.
Jubilado poured in 24 points alongside seven rebounds, five assists, and five steals. Meanwhile, Rowie Cabañero tallied 18 points, 11 assists, five rebounds, and three steals on a plus-46 rating in his debut, showing he could carry on the UST Cabañero legacy.
“Sa totoo lang, hindi ako satisfied sa pinakita nila dahil doon sa preparations namin, hindi ko nakita yung gusto ko na mangyari. Pero dahil nanalo kami, thankful pa rin kami doon sa resulta ng game,” said Tiger Cubs head coach Noli Mejos.
UPIS, winless in Season 87, jumped to an early 7-1 lead in the first quarter, but UST responded with a 30-5 run powered by Cabañero, Castro, and Jubilado to build a 31-12 advantage.
The Tiger Cubs maintained a 19-point lead at halftime before opening the third quarter with a 17-4 surge, highlighted by three consecutive triples from Cabañero, pushing UPIS into a 72-39 hole they could not escape.
UST’s 53-point margin was the largest in UAAP junior high school basketball since the Bullpups’ 70-point, 110-40 triumph over the Baby Falcons in Season 86 on March 10, 2024.
CJ Tabbuga impressed in his debut with 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting, three rebounds, and one block. Gab Castro celebrated his birthday with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting, seven rebounds, and two steals.
UE’s Okebata, who averaged 6.0 points and 7.9 rebounds in Season 87, led his team with 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block, while James Mesa contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Dave Regala went perfect from the field, finishing with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Chan Guinto added 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For UPIS, holdovers Kean Poquiz and John Addatu carried the fight, with Poquiz scoring 22 points alongside three steals, two rebounds, and two assists, and Addatu nearly posting a double-double with 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
The Scores:
First Game
UST (114) – Jubilado 24, Tabbuga 19, Cabañero 18, Castro 13, Regala 12, Guinto 10, Retaga 8, Datu 4, Dueñas 4, Anggot 2, Bathan 0, Villacarlos 0, Demata 0.
UPIS (61) – Poquiz 22, Addatu 18, Mangguerra 8, Labao 6, Lugatiman 6, Bautista 1, Rosete 0, Okebata 0, Baldovido 0, Sebastian 0, Floirendo 0.
Quarterscores: 31-12, 50-31, 81-48, 114-61.
Second Game
NUNS (86) – Diakite 15, Arzola 14, Sabareza 11, Peña 10, Khobuntin 6, Enriquez 6, Geron 5, Romero 4, Tria 3, Lalong-isip 3, Manalo 2, Gatumbato 2, Liwanag 2, Sinda 2, Yanga 1, Santiago 0.
UE (64) – Okebata 15, Mesa 10, Delos Santos 8, Perdigon 6, Aguilar 6, Felizmenia 4, Mallabo 4, Mercado 4, Pontipedra 3, Roxas 2, Ancheta 2.
Quarterscores: 28-15, 49-32, 70-41, 86-64
