National University–Nazareth School ran roughshod over the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 107–39, to open its second round on a smashing note in the UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Basketball Tournament on Wednesday morning at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Carrying the momentum from a first-round sweep, the Bullpups extended their perfect run to eight games, leaning on the combined efforts of Malian center Moussa Diakite and Jaypee Yanga to stay unbeaten.
NUNS now boasts an average winning margin of 27 points this season.
The 68-point blowout was the largest winning margin recorded in UAAP junior high school basketball since the Bullpups’ 70-point, 110–40 rout of the Adamson University Baby Falcons during the inaugural tournament in Season 86 last March 10, 2024.
“Katulad lang din talaga ng lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila na huwag maging overconfident at we should respect our opponent — mahina ‘man or malakas. We treat everybody the same,” said NUNS head coach Leo Pujante.
Diakite dominated with 18 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and one steal in just nine minutes and three seconds of action. Meanwhile, Yanga delivered a flawless performance of 14 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting clip, alongside five rebounds and three steals.
The Bullpups controlled the tempo from the opening tip, erupting for a decisive 29–7 first-quarter run before building a commanding 52–18 halftime lead that left the Fighting Maroons reeling.
Behind Yanga, Caleb Liwanag, Loin Lalong-Isip, and Nick Pena, NUNS refused to slow down in the third quarter. The team exploded for 28 points while holding UPIS to just three to enter the final frame with an overwhelming 80–21 advantage.
John Santiago tallied a double-double of 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting with 11 rebounds and a block. Lalong-Isip and Liwanag contributed eight points apiece.
The trio of Mark Arzola, Max Romero, and Pena added seven points each in the lopsided victory.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the earlier game, Far Eastern University–Diliman caught fire from deep in the first half before leaning on a late-game surge to take down Ateneo de Manila University, 98–74, and secure its second straight win.
The Baby Tamaraws drained 10 triples in the first half and rode the late second-quarter emergence of Gilas Pilipinas Boys’ center Prince Carino to build an 18-point cushion, heading into the break with a 53–40 lead.
Ateneo, however, mounted a comeback behind the trio of Domeng Ngo, Sky Jazul, and Jude Ylen, trimming the deficit to just nine, 69–60, with 2:18 left in the third period.
But FEU-D quickly shut the door, unleashing a decisive 19–4 run that carried over to the fourth quarter — highlighted by an eight-point spurt from Dwyne Enriquez — to pull away, 88–64, with 5:56 left to play.
“Generally, shooting three-pointers is part of our plan because our opponents are saying na si Enriquez at si Carino lang babantayan namin. Iiwanan namin kayo na bukas,” said Baby Tamaraws assistant coach Mike Reyes.
“We’re challenging the people around Enriquez and Carino to make their shots. We’re not asking to be shooters, but hit the open shots.”
Enriquez finished with 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting, along with nine rebounds and four assists. Carino posted a solid double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds with a block.
Andrei Chavez chipped in 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Dwayne Canete added 11 points, two steals, and two assists in the victory.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Jazul led the Blue Eagles with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, and one steal, though he also committed six turnovers.
JD Juangco followed with 15 points, four assists, and two steals, while Ylen and Ngo added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Ateneo fell to its third straight defeat, dropping to 2–5 at sixth place.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
John Addatu paced the Fighting Maroons (1–7) with 13 points, two rebounds, and a steal.
Kean Poquiz — who erupted for 36 points in UPIS’ breakthrough win over De La Salle Zobel last Sunday — was held to just nine points on 4-of-15 shooting, committing four turnovers in the process.
The Scores:
First Game:
FEU-D (98) – Enriquez 26, Carino 18, Chavez 14, Canete 11, Desiderio 7, Cruz 6, Daa 6, Pineda 4, Manaloto 2, Calma 2, Barlan 2, Isip 0, Maghinay 0, Madrigal 0.
Ateneo (74) – Jazul 16, Juangco 15, Ylen 12, Ngo 10, Dela Rosa 6, Hwang 5, Divinagracia 4, David 4, G. Yoro 2, M. Yoro 0, Castro 0, Saw 0, Fresnido 0, Cayabyab 0.
Quarterscores: 31-18, 53-40, 77-64, 98-74.
Second Game:
NUNS (107) – Diakite 18, Yanga 14, Santiago 11, Liwanag 8, Lalong-Isip 8, Arzola 7, Romero 7, Pena 7, Tria 6, Gatumbato 6, Sinda 5, Khobuntin 4, Enriquez 4, Geron 2, Sabareza 0, Manalo 0.
UPIS (39) – Addatu 13, Poquiz 9, Labao 6, Rosete 5, Lugatiman 4, Baldovino 2, Manguerra 0, Floirendo 0, Bautista 0, Cezar 0, Sebastian 0, Okebata 0, Alanon 0, Romey 0.
Quarterscores: 29-7, 52-18, 80-21, 107-39.
