National University-Nazareth School needed a huge fourth quarter surge to stave off Adamson University, racking up a 94-79 victory in the UAAP Season 82 High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament, Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
With their ninth straight win in as many games, the reigning champions have clinched a playoff spot in the tournament.
The Bullpups had to dig deep to take this one unlike their first round encounter with the Baby Falcons last November 21 that saw them win 82-60.
“Alam naman namin na lalaban ang Adamson, pero buti nung fourth, nakuha ng bigs namin yung rhythm nila,” said Bullpups head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
Up by just three points, 69-66, with 8:26 left, NU unleashed a 12-2 blast to blow the game wide open. Big men Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao did the work on the inside during the run while Terrence Fortea bombed a couple of triples.
Fortea led the way for the Bullpups with 25 points built on seven triples to go along with six assists and four rebounds.
“Si Terrence naman, kahit naging ganun yung first round, nandun pa rin yung trust namin,” Monteverde remarked about Fortea, who averaged 12.57 points in the opening round.
Tamayo tallied 18 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks while Quiambao added 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, seven boards, four assists, and two steals. Reyland Torres added 15 points and eight rebounds.
After being limited to just eight points against Far Eastern University last week, leading MVP candidate John Figueroa bounced back with 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and three steals for Adamson, who dropped to 4-5 — creating a logjam with Ateneo at the fourth and fifth spot.
FEU-D, on the other hand, remained at second after locking down Ateneo High School in the final frame to take a 67-57 triumph.
The Baby Tamaraws limited the Blue Eaglets to just nine points in the final frame to notch their eighth straight win while remaining at solo second with an 8-1 slate.
Patrick Sleat led the Baby Tams with 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field, 2-of-2 from downtown to go along with 16 boards. Jorick Bautista added 15 points.
FEU-D dominated the boards, totaling 71 rebounds compared to 56 for the skidding Ateneo. Chiolo Anonuevo and Vincent Saldua grabbed 15 and 12 boards, respectively.
Ateneo, who dropped its third straight game, only had Lebron Lopez score in double-figures, finishing with 16 points on 17 attempts with 16 rebounds and five blocks.
Forthsky Padrigao was limited to just eight points on 3-of-16 shooting.
University of Santo Tomas rose to solo third with a 5-4 record after an 87-63 bludgeoning of the hapless University of the Philippines-Integrated School.
Bismarck Line powered the romp with 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting and 11 rebounds while James Maliwat and Jacob Cortez added 17 and 12 markers, respectively.
Ray Torres was the sole bright spot for the Junior Maroons, who fell to 0-9. He had 25 points in the contest.
University of the East picked up its third win of the season at the expense of De La Salle-Zobel, 81-68, to open the day.
Vhoris Marasigan towed the Junior Red Warriors to their second straight win with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
The Junior Green Archers, who fell to 3-6, was led by Kean Baclaan, who had 18 points but was forced to commit seven turnovers.
On Wednesday, NSNU looks to formally clinch its Final Four spot as it takes on DLSZ at 3:00 pm. Ateneo faces UPIS to open the day at 9:00 am followed by FEU-D squaring off against UE. A pivotal tilt between Adamson and UST takes place at 1:00 pm still at the same venue.
The Scores:
First Game:
UE (81) — Marasigan 21, Cruz 14, Montecalvo 9, Castillo 8, Montecastro 6, Ortiz 6, Cabili 5, Austria 4, San Juan 3, Pelipel 2, Serrano 2, Caliwag 1, Mara 0, Peralta 0.
DLSZ (68) — Baclaan 18, Omer 12, Cudiamat 10, Dalisay 7, Reyes 5, Quimado 4, Unisa 4, Del Mundo 3, Melecio 2, Milan 2, Tupas 1, Lawrence 0, Luna 0, Sevilla 0.
Quarterscores: 16-10, 38-31, 53-48, 81-68.
Second Game:
UST 87 – Lina 20, Maliwat 17, Cortez 12, Villarez 9, Ascutia 6, Bautista 6, Calivozo 6, Escoto 5, Biag 4, Jalbuena 1, Javier 1, Montemayor 0, Oliva 0, Pabingwat 0.
UPIS 63 – Torres 25, Gomez de Liano 11, Torculas 9, Dimaculangan 6, Lopez 5, Canillas 4, Cordero 3, Armamento 0, Avinado 0, Morejelo 0, Napalang 0.
Quarterscores: 29-14, 51-31, 71-53, 87-63.
Third Game:
NU-NS 94 – Fortea 25, Tamayo 18, Quiambao 16, Torres 15, Alarcon 4, Enriquez 4, Abadiano 3, Abiera 3, Buensalida 2, Laure 2, Tulabut 2, Felicida 0, Mailim 0.
ADU 79 – Fiegueroa 16, Erolon 13, Barcelona 12, Hanapi 11, Guarino 10, Dominguez 8, Quinal 5, Abdula 2, Dubouzete 2, Ocangcas 0.
Quarterscores: 26-18, 47-35, 65-62, 94-79.
Fourth Game:
FEU-D 67 – Sleat 18, Bautista 15, Anonuevo 9, Pasaol 8, Saldua 8, Estacio 6, Libago 2, Padrones 1, Bagunu 0, Buenaventura 0.
AHS 57 – Lopez 16, Jaymalin 8, Lazaro 8, Padrigao 8, Salvador 6, Pangilinan 6, Pangilinan 4, Salvador 4, Rubiatao 2, De Ayre 1, Espinosa 0, Ladimo 0.
Quarterscores: 14-18, 29-32, 50-48, 67-57.
