Defending champion Nazareth School of National University topped Far Eastern University-Diliman, 80-73, to jump straight to the Finals in the UAAP Season 82 high school boys basketball tournament, Wednesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Ernest Felicilda hit a three-pointer in the final 52.9 seconds, as the Bullpups withstood a Baby Tamaraws fightback from a 32-point hole. They have now completed a 14-0 sweep of the eliminations.
NSNU duplicated the feat of Ateneo’s men’s and National University’s women’s teams, which earlier in the basketball season also went perfect in 14-0 in the eliminations.
However, for NSNU head coach Goldwin Monteverde, the work is not yet over.
“We have to finish what we started. Same pa rin — we will prepare for our next game in the same way,” said Monteverde.
It also marked the first time in the Final Four era that all men’s, women’s, and juniors basketball teams jumped straight to the title round. The Bullpups will make their ninth straight Finals appearance.
Terrence Fortea had 17 points and four rebounds, while Reyland Torres chipped in 16 points, nine boards, and three assists.
FEU ended the elims with a 12-2 record in the elims. It will hold the twice-to-beat advantage in the step-ladder semifinals.
Fortea and Torres combined for 28 points in first half, outscoring the entire Baby Tamaraws crew as the Bullpups raced to a 43-21 advantage.
FEU lost Cholo Anonuevo early in the game due to injury.
Earlier, Jeremy Guarino nailed a booming triple in the final 3.9 seconds as Adamson University completed the semis cast with a 79-76 victory over Ateneo.
The Baby Falcons ended the eliminations tied with the Blue Eaglets at 8-6. Both teams will meet again the first phase of the step-ladder phase on Wednesday.
Adamson University’s victory also eliminated University of Santo Tomas in the Final Four race.
Behind Bismarck Lina’s 25-point, 16-rebound outing, the Tiger Cubs still came out with a come-from-behind 95-87 win over De La Salle-Zobel to end their season with a 7-7 mark.
Ateneo tried to send the game into overtime, but LeBron Lopez airballed a potential game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer.
Sean Torculas drilled in a key triple in the final 20 seconds as UP Integrated School regrouped just in time after squandering a 34-point lead to beat University of the East, 86-81, and chalk up its first and only win of the season.
Jordi Gomez de Liaño shot 21 points, while Collin Dimaculangan added 16 points, seven boards and five assists.
The Junior Maroons ended a 19-game losing skid, but not without surviving a tough Junior Warriors stand.
Meanwhile, the Junior Warriors lost CJ Austria late in the third period due to a disqualifying foul on Noah Armamento. They end their campaign tied with the Junior Archers in sixth place at 3-11.
The Scores:
First Game
AdU (79) — Figueroa 26, Guarino 18, Barcelona 14, Erolon 11, Dominguez 5, Quinal 3, Hanapi 2, Cosal 0.
AHS (76) — Lozaro 23, Padrigao 18, Lopez 14, Jaymalin 12, Espinosa 6, Pangilinan 2, Felix 1, De Ayre 0, Ladimo 0, Rubiato 0, Salvador G. 0, Salvador M. 0.
Quarterscores: 16-11, 30-33, 54-52, 79-76
Second Game:
UST 95 – Lina 25, Cortez 21, Biag 10, Ascotia 8, Villarez 7, Calivozo 6, Escoto 6, Jalbuena 3, Javier 3, Maliwat 3, Bugarin 2, Montemayor 1, Bautista 0, Salazar 0
DLSZ 87 – Baclaan 31, Cudiamat 18, Tupas 11, Omer 7, Quimado 6, Macasaet 5, Unisa 5, Melecio 2, Milan 2, Dalisay 0, Del Mundo 0, Lawrence 0, Luna 0, Reyes 0, Sevilla 0
Quarterscores: 14-22, 33-42, 61-64, 95-87
Third Game
UPIS (86) – Gomez de Liaño 21, Dimaculangan 16, Torculas 14, Torres 12, Canillas 7, Lopez 5, Napalang 5, Armamento 3, Morejelo 2, Abreu 1, Avinado 0, Cordero 0, Jacob 0, Villarivera 0, Villaverde 0.
UE (81) – Austria 18, Cruz 15, Marasigan 14, San Juan 11, Montecalvo 10, Montecastro 7, Caliwag 5, Mara 1, Cabili 0, Castillo 0, Pelipel 0, Peralta 0, Serrano 0.
Quarterscores: 26-13, 59-32, 77-48, 86-81
Fourth Game
NSNU (80) – Fortea 17, Torres 16 Abadiano 11, Alarcon 9, Felicilda 7, Quiambao 7, Tamayo 5, Enriquez 4, Buenasalida 2, Tulabot 2, Duremdes 0, Laure 0, Mailim 0.
FEU (73) – Sleat 17, Estacio 12, Padrones 11, Bagunu 8, Pasaol 7, Saldua 7, Bautista 6, Libago 5, Anonuevo 0, Basilio 0, Mantua 0, Remogat 0.
Quarterscores: 24-13, 43-21, 71-40, 80-73
