National University Nazareth School and Far Eastern University-Diliman strengthened their hold of the top two spots after dispatching separate foes on Sunday in the UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Basketball Tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena.
The Bullpups stayed unbeaten through nine games after cruising past Ateneo de Manila University, 85-61.
Meanwhile, Gilas Pilipinas Boys’ center Prince Cariño powered the Baby Tamaraws to their third straight victory with a wire-to-wire 85-46 rout of the University of the Philippines Integrated School.
With the results, NUNS continued to widen its gap over FEU-Diliman, which improved to a 7-2 record in second place.
Behind a dominant 47-28 first-half showing and the continued rise of Mark Arzola and Malian center Moussa Diakite, the Bullpups remained perfect while extending the Blue Eagles’ skid to four consecutive losses.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
What made matters worse for Ateneo was the early exit of Sky Jazul, who injured his right shoulder after colliding with Ian Manalo on a loose-ball dive in the opening quarter. Jazul managed just four points and one block in 8 minutes and 46 seconds before being forced out of the game.
“Marami pa kailangan linisin kasi may mga bad habits yung mga bata. They tend to relax, lalo na sa depensa. May times na hindi sila all out at hindi dumedepensa kaya need lang malinis yung mga bad habits na ‘yon,” said NUNS head coach Leo Pujante.
That commanding first-half effort allowed the Bullpups to maintain control throughout, with consecutive inside hits from Diakite, Arzola, Clark Khobuntin, and Dean Tria ballooning the lead to 76-45 entering the final quarter.
The Bullpups dominated inside, overpowering the Blue Eagles on the boards with a 56-36 rebounding advantage and racking up 66 points in the paint.
Arzola led the way with 22 points, six assists, three rebounds, and two steals, while Diakite added 19 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks as NUNS completed a sweep of Ateneo following a 99-74 victory in the first round last October 18.
David Sabareza chipped in nine points, four steals, and two rebounds, while Tria contributed seven points and two assists.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the earlier game, Cariño posted a monster double-double of 19 points and 15 rebounds — 16 of his points coming in the first half — along with four blocks, four assists, and one steal to lead FEU-D past UPIS.
The Baby Tamaraws thus created a one-game cushion over the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs (6-3) and the Adamson University Baby Falcons (6-3).
“Nung first half, wala namang team sa UAAP na magpapatalo lang — they will always be at their best and they will try what they can to play well. However, because of their short rotation, napagod siguro ang UPIS nung third and fourth quarter, but nung first, they were really there,” said FEU-D assistant coach Mike Reyes.
UPIS stayed within striking distance early, trailing by just 12 points, 30-18, in the second quarter. But the quartet of Cariño, Griffin Barlan, Dwyne Enriquez, and Doy Cruz took turns anchoring the Baby Tamaraws’ surge to build a 43-25 halftime lead.
That first-half blitz proved decisive as FEU-D pulled away further with a 15-4 run spanning the third quarter and early fourth, capped by a Jaidel Daa triple, a Prince Pineda floater, and a Cariño free throw to stretch the advantage to 70-43 with 7:30 remaining.
Enriquez added 13 points built on three triples along with five assists, four rebounds, and one steal, while Andrei Chavez chipped in 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting and three rebounds. FEU-D also dominated their first-round matchup last October 12, 86-37.
Pineda delivered an all-around performance with seven points on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting clip, plus five rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. Barlan also contributed six points and eight rebounds.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For Ateneo, Jude Ylen tallied all 12 of his points in the second half alongside four rebounds and one steal, while Enzo Divinagracia finished with 11 points and three rebounds in the losing effort.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For the Fighting Maroons, John Addatu led with 12 points and four rebounds, while Kean Poquiz tallied 11 points on 4-of-16 shooting but added four steals, three rebounds, and two assists.
UPIS dropped to 1-8, remaining in seventh place.
The Scores:
First Game (16U)
FEU-D (85) – Cariño 19, Enriquez 13, Chavez 11, Pineda 7, Barlan 6, Desiderio 5, Mojica 4, Cañete 3, Mampao 3, Calma 3, Daa 3, Madrigal 2, Cruz 2, Manaloto 2, Maghinay 2, Isip 0.
UPIS (46) – Addatu 12, Poquiz 11, Lugatiman 10, Labao 6, Manguerra 4, Rosete 3, Floirendo 0, Bautista 0, David 0, Baldovino 0, Sebastian 0.
Quarterscores: 22-11, 43-25, 64-43, 85-46.
Second Game (16U)
NUNS (85) – Arzola 22, Diakite 19, Sabareza 9, Tria 7, Khobuntin 6, Yanga 5, Gatumbato 4, Liwanag 4, Santiago 4, Peña 3, Manalo 2, Romero 0, Sinda 0, Enriquez 0, Geron 0, Lalong-Isip 0.
Ateneo (61) – Ylen 12, Divinagracia 11, Ngo 10, Juangco 6, Castro 4, Bernarte 4, Jazul 4, David 3, G. Yoro 3, M. Yoro 2, Saw 2, Dela Rosa 0, Fresnido 0, Cayabyab 0, Hwang 0.
Quarterscores: 22-13, 47-28, 76-45, 85-61.
