By: Joaquin Cortez
National University-Nazareth School moved within a win of securing an automatic berth in the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ 16-and-under Basketball Finals for the second consecutive year after routing Ateneo de Manila University, 85-70, behind Jesse Arellano’s dominant double-double on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Bullpups extended their winning streak to 29 games dating back to last season, improving to 13-0 in the current campaign behind Arellano’s 22 points, 20 rebounds, and six steals.
“Sinuwerte lang ata ako na binuo ko yung tamang players; nagkataon lang na napunta sa akin, at buti na lang ako ang nakakita kay Jesse,” said NUNS head coach Leo Pujante, praising Arellano’s performance.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
NUNS will look to secure its second consecutive automatic Finals berth and trigger the stepladder semifinals format on Tuesday, Nov. 17, when it takes on Final Four-bound De La Salle-Zobel at the DLSZ Sports Pavilion at 3 p.m.
Ateneo kept pace with NUNS in the opening quarter before the Bullpups began to pull away in the second period, building a 47-30 halftime advantage behind Dwyane Wade Enriquez, Andrie Lopez, and Ron Mayor, who combined for 28 points.
“No’ng first quarter parang nagre-relax, hindi nire-respeto ang kalaban, kaya bigla kaming nag-press no’ng [second quarter] para magising-gising and ‘yun naman, nagising naman,” Pujante said.
NUNS maintained its double-digit advantage after the break despite Ateneo’s attempts to mount a comeback. The Bullpups then opened the final period with a 10-2 run, capped by Aaron Dalanan’s layup that extended their lead to 67-46.
The Bullpups continued to widen the gap in the fourth quarter, with Arellano’s layup capping their surge to a 30-point advantage with just over five minutes remaining, 76-46, as NUNS moved closer to preserving its unbeaten record.
Aside from Arellano, Enriquez contributed 12 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Lopez added 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Despite the Bullpups’ unbeaten run, Pujante remained wary of Zobel, acknowledging the improvement made by the Junior Green Archers ahead of their crucial matchup.
“It’s going to be a good match. Ibang-iba na sila ngayon kaysa last year. Let’s see, and we hope we can win para diretso na kaming finals, pero siyempre, hindi naman basta-basta ang Zobel. So, we have to work hard for it,” Pujante said.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Meanwhile, Diego Nuque-Bautista paced Ateneo with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Jayden Ylen and Chris Llavore chipped in 13 and 11 points, respectively, as the Blue Eagles fell to 1-12.
The Scores:
NUNS 85 – Arellano 22, Enriquez 12, Lopez 11, Macoy 9, Dalanan 7, Genido 4, Javier 4, Geron 3, Cano 2, Flores Jr. 2, Osorio 0, Dizon 0, Pangan 0, Tundag 0.
Ateneo 70 – Nuque–Bautista 15, Ylenn 13, Llavore 11, Fresnido 9, Saw 5, Beley 4, Dela Cruz 4, Gandionco 3, Bayona Jr. 2, Dionisio 2, Lucero 0, Malnlutac 0, Molina 0, Dolera 0.
Quarterscores: 26-19, 47-30, 67-46, 85-70.
