Nazareth School of National University emerged as UAAP High School Boys’ Basketball champions once more.
The powerhouse Bullpups pulled off a 16-0 sweep with an 87-80 win over Far Eastern University-Diliman in the finale, which they played behind closed doors at the Filoil Flying V Centre on Tuesday.
The Bullpups led wire-to-wire to complete a 2-0 sweep of the best-of-three series.
NSNU extends its winning run to 27 games, while annexing its fifth championship overall in the past nine years.
After trailing by as much as 17 points, the Baby Tamaraws were able to cut down the deficit to 72-79. But the graduating seniors Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo, and Gerry Abadiano delivered the killer blows in the final 4:02, sealing another championship for the Bullpups.
NSNU duplicated the feat of Ateneo’s men’s and National University’s women’s teams, which earlier in the basketball season went undefeated in 16 games.
Tamayo, who was named the Finals MVP, produced a monster double-double outing of 26 points and 22 rebounds. Winning two in a row, Tamayo averaged 19 points and 18 rebounds.
Abadiano added 20 points, five boards, and three assists, while Terrence Fortea chipped in 12 points and four assists for the Bullpups.
“Nakakatuwa kasi lahat ng pinaghirapan namin, it paid off,” said coach Goldwin Monteverde, who will now handle NU’s men’s basketball team come September. “We sustained our focus and energy of the players throughout the whole year.”
John Rey Pasaol led FEU with 20 points, seven boards, five steals and four assists. Penny Estacio added 17 points.
The Scores:
NS-NU 87 – Tamayo 26, Abadiano 20, Fortea 12, Quiambao 8, Alarcon 5, Tulabut 5, Enriquez 4, Torres 3, Buensalida 2, Mailim 2, Felicilda 0
FEU-D 80 – Pasaol 20, Estacio 17, Bautista 13, Sleat 13, Anonuevo 8, Padrones 5, Libago 3, Bagunu 1, Saldua 0
Quarterscores: 24-17, 53-45, 75-62, 87-80
