National University Nazareth School secured the final spot in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament Final Four.
The Bullpups eliminated the De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers with a thrilling 86-76 victory, while their postseason ticket was formalized by the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs’ 105-71 rout of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
With these results, the division’s Final Four cast became complete as NUNS and UST extinguished the postseason aspirations of DLSZ and Ateneo.
The losses left the Junior Archers and the Blue Eagles with identical 5-8 records in their penultimate Season 87 matches.
NUNS will face the twice-to-beat and top-seeded University of the East, while UST will clash with second-seeded Far Eastern University-Diliman in the Final Four.
The Bullpups continued their surge at the right time, racking up three consecutive wins to close the eliminations with a 7-7 record and keep their title defense alive.
“I’m very happy with how we ended the eliminations. Alam naman natin na may na-injure, tapos may mga nag-step up, tapos dumaan din kami sa struggles, pero credit sa kanila kasi kitang-kita ko naman na trinabaho nila every day sa practice and especially sa games,” Bullpups head coach Kevin de Castro said.
The Junior Archers recovered from a 60-69 deficit at the start of the payoff period, with a five-point spurt by Ram Luna giving them a brief 72-71 lead with 6:11 left.
However, David Sabareza powered the Bullpups’ 7-2 run to establish a four-point cushion, 78-74, with less than three minutes remaining.
A layup by Vince Magan brought DLSZ within two points, but crucial free throws by Tadeo, an inside hit from Nick Peña, and a Sabareza layup sealed the win for NUNS to close the eliminations.
Chester Tulabut delivered another stellar performance with 27 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Sabareza added 19 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.
Yujin Peña contributed 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Tadeo also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 17 rebounds.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Tiger Cubs extended their winning streak to four games, finishing the eliminations in third place with a 10-4 record.
“Yun talaga yung plan namin dahil preparation na ito for Final Four kasi malakas din yung FEU. Sinet ko sa kanila yung mindset na hindi maging relaxed para nakafocus kami sa Final Four and sa goal namin na manalo ng championship,” Tiger Cubs head coach Noli Mejos said.
A dominant 62-41 first-half performance gave the Tiger Cubs all the momentum they needed to keep the Blue Eagles at bay.
Building on their strong start, UST put on a third-quarter clinic, outscoring Ateneo 30-11 to send the Blue Eagles into a 92-52 hole.
Jhon Canapi led the charge with 30 points on 12-of-25 shooting, along with eight rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Andwele Cabañero tallied the season’s third triple-double with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Dustin Bathan chipped in 21 points, six assists, five rebounds, and one steal, while Miguel Jubilado and Christian Guinto added 11 points each.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Magan paced the Junior Archers in their final game with 26 points and nine steals, while Centeno tallied 15 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Luna added 13 points, three steals, two rebounds, and one assist, while team captain Melvin Tailan contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Sky Jazul led the Blue Eagles in their losing effort with 12 points and four assists, while Domeng Ngo added 12 points, six steals, three rebounds, and three assists.
MVP frontrunner Zane Kallos was limited to 10 points on 3-of-11 shooting but still contributed 15 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal.
JD Juangco chipped in 10 points, seven assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
The Scores:
Third Game:
NUNS (86) – Tulabut 27, Sabareza 19, N. Peña 10, Y. Peña 10, Tadeo 10, Khobuntin 5, Vitug 3, Quinto 2, Urea 0, Reroma 0.
DLSZ (76) – Magan 26, Centeno 15, Luna 13, Thailand 12, Tan 7, Llamas 3, Apao 0, Maglipon 0, Villaruz 0, Rivera 0.
Quarterscores: 21-15, 45-35, 61-57, 86-76.
Fourth Game:
UST (105) – Canapi 30, Bathan 21, Cabañero 20, Jubilado 11, Guinto 11, Castro 4, Javier 2, Balague 2, Guerrero 2, Aguilar 0, Villacarlos 0, Duenas 0.
Ateneo (71) – Jazul 12, Ngo 12, Juango 10, Kallos 10, Molina 6, Bernarte 6, Divinagracia 4, Ramos 4, Lacsamana 4, Ylen 3, Valte 0, Dela Rosa 0, Fernandez 0, Meresen 0, Pineda 0, Hwang 0.
Quarterscores: 33-19, 62-41, 92-52, 105-71.
