Mot Matias and Miekho Natinga came through in the clutch as National University Nazareth School rallied from a 15-point first half deficit to beat defending champion University of Santo Tomas, 78-74, cementing its hold on solo third place to close the first round of the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament, Sunday afternoon at the Adamson Gym in Manila.
In a rematch of the Season 87 Finals, Matias drilled the game-tying triple with 1:40 remaining before Natinga hit the eventual go-ahead midrange jumper that propelled the Bullpups to their third consecutive victory, capping a remarkable comeback from a 23-38 hole.
It was an afternoon of comebacks, as University of the East overcame a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to secure a narrow 64-60 win over De La Salle Zobel.
With the win, NUNS seized solo third place with a 5-2 record, trailing league leaders Ateneo de Manila University and Far Eastern University-Diliman, both at 6-1. Meanwhile, UE joined DLSZ and Adamson University in a three-way tie for fourth place, with all three teams finishing the first round at 3-4.
“This is what we want [na] before the first round ends, gusto talaga namin makuha yung win. Very proud ako kasi yung in-address namin nung halftime, talagang sinunod nila,” Bullpups head coach Kevin de Castro said.
“Credit ko rin sila kasi UST had only nine points sa fourth quarter. ‘Yon talaga yung team namin ‘eh. Definitely, have to instill in ourselves na this season, defensive team kami,” he added.
NUNS opened the payoff period with seven straight points—five from Moussa Diakite and a Natinga floater—to build a 70-65 lead with 6:37 left. UST then responded with back-to-back inside hits from Ola Ajani and Charles Esteban, completing a 9-1 run that gave them a 74-71 advantage with 3:02 remaining.
The Bullpups, however, had the final say. Mot Matias nailed a three-pointer over Jetlee Melano before Natinga pulled up for a midrange jumper, giving NUNS a 76-74 lead with 70 seconds left.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Tiger Cubs had multiple chances to respond, but Esteban missed a triple, Wacky Ludovice stepped out of bounds, and both Melano and Kirk Cañete failed on separate attempts inside the paint.
Kurl Figueroa powered NUNS with 14 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks, while Diakite contributed 13 points, 23 rebounds, three blocks, and two assists.
Corian Cabantog added 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting and five rebounds, and Natinga finished with 12 points and four rebounds.
Chad Cartel chipped in 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Matias rounded out the Bullpups’ balanced attack with five points, seven assists, three rebounds, and one steal.
Melano led UST in the loss with 13 points, five rebounds, three steals, and one assist, followed by JC Canapi with 12 points and three rebounds.
Ludovice finished with 11 points, four assists, two rebounds, and two steals, while Cañete had nine points, six rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the other game, the Junior Archers went on an 11-point run in the third quarter that extended into the payoff period—capped by a Kio Favis midrange jumper and two Nino Ferrer free throws—pushing the Junior Warriors into a 50-36 deficit with 8:45 left.
However, UE responded spectacularly, rallying behind Jolo Pascual, Ethan Aguas, and Sizco Roquid for a 19-2 surge that gave them a 55-52 lead with 3:36 remaining.
Maco Dabao hit a triple to tie the game at 55-55 with 2:19 left, but Aguas converted an and-one layup, Roquid scored inside, and Nigerian center JM Edoukou made a free throw, restoring a 61-55 lead with 55 seconds remaining.
Favis and Ferrer converted baskets down the stretch, but the Junior Warriors’ comeback fell short as Aguas put back an offensive rebound and Jamal Diaz made a free throw to seal the win.
Roquid overcame his slump to finish with a game-high 17 points, along with five rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
Aguas added 16 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, while Pascual contributed 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Drei Lorenzo chipped in eight points and five rebounds.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Favis paced DLSZ in the loss with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting and one steal, while Ferrer added 13 points, three rebounds, and two steals.
Yusuf Mikailu contributed 11 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks, while Dabao was limited to nine points on 4-of-15 shooting but added 11 rebounds, five steals, and three assists.
The Scores:
Third Game:
UE (64) – Roquid 17, Aguas 16, Pascual 13, Lorenzo 8, Bual 4, Edoukou 3, Orca 2, Diaz 1, Delos Reyes 0, Abellar 0, Timbol 0, Braga 0, Oraa 0.
DLSZ (60) – Favis 14, Ferrer 13, Mikailu 11, Dabao 9, Arejola 6, Alpapara 3, Borrero 2, Atienza 2, Llamas 0, Luna 0.
Quarterscores: 7-14, 24-33, 36-46, 64-60.
Fourth Game:
NUNS (78) – Figueroa 14, Diakite 13, Cabantog 13, Natinga 12, Cartel 10, Lucido 6, M. Matias 5, R. Matias 5, Juan 0, Bouzina 0.
UST (74) – Melano 13, Canapi 12, Ludovice 11, Canete 9, Esteban 7, Bathan 6, Ajani 4, Bohol 4, Pulongbarit 4, Sta. Maria 2, Candare 2, Lapastora 0, Vidanes 0.
Quarterscores: 18-22, 45-45, 63-65, 78-74.
