National University-Nazareth School moved on the cusp of sweeping the UAAP Season 82 High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament elimination round after crushing University of the Philippines Integrated School, 113-76, at the Filoil Flying V Centre, Sunday.
The defending champions will square off against the 12-1 Far Eastern University-Diliman on Wednesday, 3 p. m., with hopes of completing the sweep.
On the other hand, the Baby Tamaraws would take the top seed if they beat NU by 16 or more points on February 5.
Steve Nash Enriquez and Terrence Fortea led the onslaught with 17 points apiece while Gerry Abadiano posted 12 markers and six assists.
Towering big men Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao also contributed 10 points apiece with the former grabbing 11 rebounds and the latter corraling seven boards.
“Kung makakapag-sweep, okay, pero kasi kami kung anong game lang ang lalaruin namin, doon lang kami nakafocus talaga. Hopefully ganon mangyari,” said NU-NS head coach Goldwin Monteverde.
After a nip and tuck first period, 27-26, the Bullpups wreaked havoc in the remaining three quarters, outscoring the Junior Maroons, 86-50.
Jordi Gomez de Liano paced the winless UPIS with 27 points while Sean Torculas unloaded 17 markers, 22 rebounds against nine turnovers.
Meanwhile, Ateneo High School booked a semis berth after dominating De La Salle Zobel, 79-52.
Forthsky Padrigao uncorked 19 points, six rebounds, four steals, and three assists while Lebron Lopez got 17 markers and two blocks as Ateneo rose to 8-5.
Ranz Uniza delivered 14 points, seven boards and four dimes in the losing cause.
In other games, Adamson University grabbed solo fourth after demolishing University of the East, 124-68, while FEU-D waylaid University of Santo Tomas, 81-73.
Baby Falcon John Erolon unleashed 27 points built on six triples alongside six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Didat Hanapi added 19 markers off the bench while Ruzzell Dominguez chalked up 17 points.
CJ Austria posted 22 points, nine rebounds and five dimes against nine errors for the 3-10 Junior Warriors.
Chiolo Anonuevo spearheaded the Baby Tamaraws with 13 points and 11 rebounds while Penny Estacio led the team in scoring with 19 markers in 26 shots.
Bismarck Lina was a force down low with 25 points and 12 rebounds while Jacob Cortez had 15 markers and 11 boards as the Tiger Cubs slipped to fifth behind a 6-7 card.
The Scores:
First Game:
NU-NS 113 – Enriquez 17, Fortea 17, Abadiano 12, Quiambao 10, Tamayo 10, Torres 8, Laure 7, Duremdes 6, Felicilda 6, Mailim 6, Tulabut 6, Alarcon 5, Songcuya 3, Abiera 0.
UPIS 76 – Gomez de Liano 27, Torres 18, Torculas 17, Dimaculangan 10, Canillas 4, Armamento 0, Avinado 0, Lopez 0.
Quarterscores: 27-26, 51-42, 84-57, 113-76.
Second Game:
AdU 124 – Erolon 27, Hanapi 18, Dominguez 17, Guarino 10, Quinal 10, Cosal 9, Barcelona 8, Figueroa 8, Abdulla 5, Nitura 5, Gonzaga 3, Tulabut 3, Dubouzete 0, Ignacio 0, Ocangas 0
UE 68 – Austria 22, Montecalvo 10, Montecastro 10, Cruz 8, Marasigan 7, Caliwag 4, Mara 4, Castillo 2, Pelipel 1, Cabili 0, Peralta 0, San Juan 0, Serrano 0
Quarterscores: 33-14, 65-36, 96-53, 124-68
Third Game:
FEU-D 81 – Estacio 19, Anonuevo 13, Sleat 13, Bautista 10 Saldua 9, Bagunu 7, Libago 3, Padrones 3, Mantua 2, Pasaol 2, Basilio 0, Buenaventura 0.
UST 73 – Lina 25, Cortez 15, Escoto 13, Montemayor 9, Villarez 5, Calivozo 3, Bugarin 2, Ascutia 1, Bautista 0, Maliwat 0, Oliva 0, Salazar 0.
Quarterscores: 15-18, 38-39, 59-57, 81-73.
Fourth Game:
AHS 79 – Padrigao 19, Lopez 17, Salvaror M. 8, Ladimo 8, Jaymalin 6, Espinosa 6, Lazaro 4, Corral 3, De Ayre 2, Rubiato 2, Nieto 2, Salvador G 1, Pangilinan 1, Diaz 0, Felix 0, Santos 0.
DLSZ 52 – Unisa 14, Tupas 13, Cudiamat 10, Omer 4, Macasaet 4, Del Mundo 3, Quimado 2, Reyes 2, Milan 0, Melecio 0, Luna 0, Sevilla 0, Dalisay 0.
Quarterscores: 21-14, 46-20, 64-34, 79-52.
