By: Joaquin Cortez
Defending champion National University Nazareth School, looking sharp despite a lengthy layoff, made quick work of the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 87-42, to clinch the first Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ 16-and-under Basketball Tournament on Thursday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
With the victory, the Bullpups secured their fourth consecutive Final Four appearance, extended their historic winning streak to 26 games, and improved to 10-0 this season. Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons absorbed their fourth straight loss to fall to seventh place at 3-8.
“It’s good to see na nakalaro kami nang maayos kasi two weeks kaming walang laro at pahinga, pero buti na lang, maganda ’yung nilaro ng mga bata,” NUNS head coach Leo Pujante said.
“I’ve been telling them na sila lang ang tatalo sa kanila. So they have to be disciplined. They have to stay focused, stay hungry, and stay humble,” he added.
NUNS completed a season sweep of UPIS after routing the Fighting Maroons, 100-45, in their first-round meeting last September.
After Hubert Bautista converted a layup to cut NUNS’ lead to four, the Bullpups responded with a 12-2 run capped by Andrie Lopez’s triple to establish a 14-point cushion at the end of the opening quarter, 33-19.
UPIS struggled to find its touch in the second quarter before Ryley Floirendo knocked down a corner triple to trim the deficit to 18, 40-22. The basket, however, failed to spark a sustained rally as NUNS maintained its dominance and carried a commanding 47-25 lead into halftime.
The Bullpups continued to impose their will in the third quarter, with Lopez’s layup helping preserve their sizable advantage heading into the final frame, 73-33.
NUNS then outscored UPIS, 14-9, in the fourth quarter to complete the 45-point rout and preserve its unbeaten record this season.
Thirteen of NUNS’ 14 players scored, led by Dwyane Wade Enriquez, who finished with 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Aaron Dalanan posted a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds to go with three blocks, while Chandler Cano chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds.
The Bullpups also received a significant boost from their reserves, outscoring the Fighting Maroons’ bench, 38-29. NUNS further underscored its dominance by converting 29 second-chance points, while holding UPIS scoreless in that category.
Meanwhile, Bautista paced UPIS with 16 points and four rebounds, followed by Zandro Lagutiman, who tallied 10 points, four rebounds, three steals, and three blocks.
Later in the day, De La Salle Zobel sustained its remarkable turnaround this season, cruising past Adamson University, 90-60, to close out the four-game slate and notch its third consecutive victory.
The Junior Archers continued to strengthen their bid for a Final Four berth, improving to 8-3 and closing the gap on Far Eastern University-Diliman, which remained half a game ahead at 8-2.
DLSZ also maintained a two-game cushion over the University of the East, which occupied fourth place with a 6-5 record.
“The boys were just ready to play. They brought energy into the game, and they played through a level of standard na we want. Everyone was also able to contribute,” DLSZ head coach Hyram Bagatsing said. “Buti na lang rin ’yung second group gave us energy going in, so I think that made the difference and got the ball rolling for us.”
The Junior Archers also completed a season sweep of Adamson after winning their first-round encounter, 86-69, at the Quadricentennial Pavilion last August.
DLSZ overcame an early deficit with a dominant finish to the opening quarter, unleashing a 17-1 run capped by Enzo Purugganan’s runner to seize a 30-18 lead.
The Junior Archers carried their momentum into the second quarter, closing the half with five unanswered points courtesy of Rye Villaruz’s triple and Enzo Montes’ layup to stretch their advantage to 50-31.
DLSZ tightened its defensive grip in the third quarter, limiting Adamson to just nine points. Fonzie Mercado then delivered a behind-the-back pass to Mikko Noel for a fastbreak layup, extending the Junior Archers’ lead to 75-39 heading into the final frame.
Although Adamson outscored DLSZ, 21-15, in the fourth quarter, the deficit proved too large to overcome as the Junior Archers cruised to their third straight victory.
“Pressure is always going to be there, and I think it’s more about trying to change their perspective na to take it as a challenge,” Bagatsing said of the team’s turnaround this season. “Take it as an opportunity na it’s a game we all love doing.”
Purugganan led DLSZ with 21 points, two rebounds, and three triples, while Villaruz recorded a double-double of 18 points and 11 assists. Pierre Santiago and James Enriquez chipped in 10 points apiece.
Meanwhile, Henri Subido paced Adamson with 19 points.
The Scores
Third Game:
NUNS (87) — Enriquez 17, Dalanan 12, Cano 11, Flores Jr. 8, Arellano 7, Lopez 7, Mayor 6, Genido 6, Macoy 5, Geron 4, Garcia 2, Pangan 2, Tundag 0.
UPIS (42) — Bautista 16, Lugatiman 10, Floirendo 9, Labao 4, David 2, Santos 1, Romey 0, Avendano 0, Sebastian 0, Rico 0, Sarthou 0.
Quarterscores: 33-19, 47-25, 73-33, 87-42.
Fourth Game:
DLSZ (90) — Purugganan E. 21, Villaruz 18, Noel 10, Santiago 10, Enriquez 9, Mercado 6, Quillo 4, Purugganan I. 3, Dizon 3, Francisco 3, Montes 3, Paceno 0, Stehmeier 0, Tabu 0, Dela Lara 0, Buenafe 0.
AdU (60) — Subido 19, Maycong 15, Espiritu 6, Caintic 6, Chan 5, Sepnio 4, Timtiman 3, Bulan 2, Delos Santos Jr. 0, Sepnio 0, Thompson 0, Cads 0, Gayatin 0.
Quarterscores: 30-18, 50-31, 75-39, 90-60.
