NU goes to 4-0 as Naz San Juan lifts UE to stunner over Ateneo

National University-Nazareth School continued its unblemished run, while Far Eastern University-Diliman cruised to its third straight win in the UAAP Season 82 Boys’ Basketball Tournament at the Paco Arena on Saturday. 

The Bullpups decimated De La Salle-Zobel, 86-57. On the other hand, the Baby Tamaraws walloped University of the Philippines Integrated School, 67-56.

Four players reached double-digits for NU led by Jimlly Lantaya’s 13 points to go with six boards. Carl Tamayo and Terrence Fortea tallied 11 markers apiece, while Kevin Quiambao added 10 points and 10 boards. The Goldwin Monteverde-coached squad remain at the top of the standings with a 4-0 record.

Junior Archer John Dalisay led all scorers with 24 points, all coming from beyond-the-arc as La Salle dropped to 2-2.

On the other hand, the Baby Tamaraws rode the hot hand of Penny Estacio, who collected 20 points, 11 rebounds, three dimes and four steals as they went up to solo second place at 3-1.

Patrick Sleat had 13 markers, while Reya Remogat chalked up 10 points. Still, FEU needed a 13-3 blitz to open the fourth quarter and build a 16-point separation, 62-46, against UP.

“Nag-commit na ‘yung players ko sa system namin nung second half. ‘Yung character ng team, nailabas nila after halftime,” said coach Allan Albano.

Sean Torculas flirted with a triple-double with 18 points, 17 rebounds and seven steals for the winless Junior Maroons (0-4). On the other hand, Jordi Gomez De Liano was held to eight markers on 3-of-14 shooting.

Meanwhile, University of the East got its first win in four games after stunning Ateneo de Manila University, 81-80.

Natz San Juan drained the game-winning putback for the Junior Warriors off of Carly Ortiz’ missed three-pointer with three seconds remaining, to reward coach Estong Ballesteros his first victory.

“Sabi ko kay Natz, huwag lang siyang bibitaw. May tiwala ako sa kanya at ayun, bumawi naman siya,” said the first year mentor. “Medyo bad start lang siya, pero ‘yung focus at composure niya nandoon pa rin.”

CJ Austria topped UE with 26 points, while Vhoris Marasigan chipped in 19 markers and nine rebounds. San Juan finished with 12.

“Sobrang saya, medyo umiiyak pa. Sobrang proud ako sa lahat ng players, binigay nila ang lahat. Para kay boss Bong Tan at sa buong UE community itong panalo,” Ballesteros said.

Forthsky Padrigao paced Ateneo (2-2) with 28 points on 9-of-27 clip, alongside five boards and six steals.

Adamson University ended the game day with a 69-62 victory over University of Santo Tomas.

Silent in the first half, John Erolon scored 21 of his 24 points in the second half, built on five treys, to captain the Baby Falcons to their second win in four outings.

Jacob Cortez paced the Tiger Cubs with 14 points, as they dropped to a 2-2 slate with the loss.

The Scores:

First Game:
NU 86 – Lantaya 13, Tamayo 11, Fortea 11, Quiambao 10, Abadiano 8, Enriquez 8, Songcuya 7, Buensalida 4, Tulabut 4, Alarcon 2, Laure 2, Torres 2, Felicilda 2, Mailim 2, Abiera 0, Duremdes 0.
DLSZ 57 – Dalisay 24, Baclaan 7, Quimado 7, Omer 4, Villarin 3, Luna 3, Sevilla 3, Tupas 2, Macasaet 2, Milan 2, Reyes 0, Lawrence 0, Melecio 0, Del Mundo 0.
Quarterscores: 23-11, 49-25, 70-37, 86-57.

Second Game:
UE 81 – Austria 26, Marasigan 19, San Juan 12, Ortiz 6, Cabili 5, Cruz 5, Montecalvo 5, Serrano 2, Caliwag 0, Mara 0, Maximo 0, Montecastro 0, Peralta 0, Tan 0.
Ateneo 80 – Padrigao 28, Lopez 18, Espinosa 11, Corral 6, Ladimo 4, Lazaro 4, M. Salvador 4, Jaymalin 3, Felix 2, De Ayre 0, Rubiato 0, G. Salvador 0.
Quarterscores: 16-22, 41-44, 59-65, 81-80.

Third Game:
FEU 67 – Estacio 20, Sleat 13, Remogat 10, Anonuevo 7, Padrones 6, Bagunu 5, Bautista 3, Mantua 2, Libago 1, Basilio 0, Buenaventura 0, Jimenez 0, Saldua 0.
UPIS 56 – Torculas 18, Torres 16, Gomez de Liano 8, Canillas 5, Galotera 4, Lopez 3, Jacob 2, Armamento 0, Dimaculangan 0.
Quarterscores: 11-14, 23-25, 49-43, 67-56.

Fourth Game:
AdU 69 – Erolon 24, Quinal 11, Figueroa 9, Hanapi 9, Barcelona 7, Dominguez 6, Tulabut 2, Cosal 1, Dubouzete 0, Guarino 0, Nitura 0, Ocangcas 0, Timbancaya 0.
UST 62 – Cortez 14, Escoto 11, Bugarin 7, Oliva 6, Salazar 6, Villarez 6, Ascutia 5, Biag 5, Montemayor 2, Calivozo 0, Maliwat 0.
Quarterscores: 18-11, 35-36, 55-48, 69-62.