National University Nazareth School extended its perfect start, while defending champion University of the East fended off University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Basketball Tournament, Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Bullpups dismantled the University of the Philippines Integrated School Fighting Maroons, 81-46, to stretch its winning streak to four games, boasting an average margin of 22.75 points.
Earlier, the Juniors Warriors further reinforced their mastery over the Tiger Cubs with an 87-78 victory in a rematch of last season’s Finals.
The Bullpups, who led by 19 points at halftime, never let up and ultimately secured a 35-point win.
NU limited UPIS to just four points in the third quarter and led by as much as 77-36 in the final frame, thanks to Jerick Geron’s jump shot with 3:39 remaining.
For head coach Leo Pujante, it was important that the Bullpups learned from the first game of the day and finished strong against the Fighting Maroons.
“Yung first half nga kasi, they took for granted UPIS,” said Pujante. “Yung first game nakita niyo diba, yung UE lamang sa (UST). Sinabi ko sa kanila, tignan niyo yung UE at yung UST — lamang na UE. Tapos nung humataw yung UST, huli na. Lumamang nga sila pero napagod kaya nakabalik ang UE diba?
“For me kasi, UST is stronger than UE. Kaya yun din ang sinasabi ko sa mga bata. Ang maganda naman dun ay lahat sila nag-contribute naman ngayon.”
The lopsided nature of the NU-UPIS game allowed Pujante to field 16 players.
Malian student-athlete Moussa Diakite, despite only playing 10 minutes and 43 seconds, led NUNS with 14 points, nine rebounds, and two steals, while Ean Tria added 12 points.
NUNS dominated the paint with 58 points, and its bench contributed another 58 points, compared to UPIS’s 16 and 13 points, respectively.
Up next for NUNS is Adamson University (3-0) in a clash of unbeaten teams at 7:30 AM on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the earlier game, the Junior Warriors regrouped to prevent the Tiger Cubs from mounting a comeback.
Entering the fourth quarter with only a one-point lead, Sean Felizmenia, Zion Aguilar, Juan Mallabo, Goodluck Okebata, and Austin Delos Santos combined to build a 74-64 cushion over UST with 4:56 remaining.
The Tiger Cubs managed to trim the deficit to 82-75 on Gab Castro’s three consecutive three-pointers and Dave Regala’s free throws.
But Miguel Jubilado’s turnover after a timeout forced Rowie Canbañero to foul Delos Santos, who converted both free throws.
Okebata then scored off Mallabo’s assist, making it 86-75 and sealing the win with 14.7 seconds left.
For UE coach Matthew Sia, the team’s composed finish was a perfect response after earlier mistakes in the game.
“I think the boys showed their composure and maturity,” said Sia. “Going here na fourth game namin, sabi ko nga na yung mga mali namin nung first three games, may chance kaming itama going into this game. I’m very proud of the boys. They worked very hard.
“They followed the game plan. Minimal mistakes, we’re gonna review it sa viewing namin, but yung ending yung nagustuhan ko dun — how they were composed and how they controlled the last two minutes of the ballgame.”
Okebata had another dominant performance with 19 points, 18 rebounds, and four blocks in 32 minutes and 37 seconds.
Felizmenia added 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Delos Santos contributed 15 points and eight assists.
Mark Perdigon and Aguilar scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, and Mallabo added nine points with five rebounds.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Castro led the Tiger Cubs with 24 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Cabañero’s 17 points and 11 assists.
Jubilado and Dats Datu scored 13 and 12 points, respectively, while Regala had eight points and 11 rebounds.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Kean Poquiz led the Fighting Maroons with 12 points. UPIS will face Ateneo de Manila University at 9:30 AM on Wednesday.
The Junior Warriors and Tiger Cubs return to action on Saturday at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym.
UE, riding a three-game winning streak with an average margin of 17 points, will face Adamson at 7:30 AM, while UST will look to bounce back against Ateneo at 9:30 AM.
The Scores:
First Game:
UE (87) – Felizmenia 19, Okebata 19, Delos Santos 15, Perdigon 11, Aguilar 10, Mallabo 9, Mesa 4, Ancheta 0, Roxas 0, Mercado 0, Pontipedra 0.
UST (78) – Castro 24, Cabañero 17, Jubilado 13, Datu 12, Regala 8, Anggot 4, Tabbuga 0, Dueñas 0, Guinto 0, Villacarlos 0.
Quarterscores: 32-13, 49-37, 60-59, 87-78.
Second Game:
NUNS (81) – Diakite 14, Tria 12, Peña 8, Arzola 8, Manalo 7, Geron 6, Khobuntin 6, Liwanag 6, Lalong-isa 4, Sabarenza 3, Sinda 2, Gatumbato 0, Romero 0, Enriquez 0, Santiago 0.
UPIS (46) – Poquiz 12, Manguerra 9, Addatu 8, Labao 4, Bautista 4, Floreindo 0, Lugatiman 0, Baldovino 0, Sebastian 0.
Quarterscores: 18-16, 43-24, 67-28, 81-46.
