National University Nazareth School and Far Eastern University-Diliman forced a three-way tie with De La Salle-Zobel for the early lead in the UAAP Season 89 16-and-under basketball tournament after posting contrasting victories on Friday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Bullpups, the defending champions, had to fend off the University of the East Junior Warriors, 83-79. Meanwhile, the Baby Tamaraws, last year’s runner-up, cruised past the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 77-55.
Earlier in the day, the Junior Archers posted an 86-69 victory over the Adamson Baby Falcons.
NUNS played without big men Chandler Cano and Marrion Dizon, who were sidelined due to chickenpox.
“Okay lang. Dalawang big ko yung wala today tapos lima diyan galing bulutong, kaya hindi pa kondisyon,” said Bullpups head coach Leo Pujante.
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Without their two big men, the Bullpups found themselves in a tight battle against the Junior Warriors.
Clinging to a 63-62 lead heading into the final quarter, Dwyane Wade Enriquez drilled a triple to provide the spark NUNS needed.
Elijah Javier and Kobe Genido then answered every UE basket before Jesse Arellano converted an and-one play to put NUNS ahead, 81-73, with 2:14 remaining.
Arellano followed up his triple-double performance in the Bullpups’ previous game with 19 points, 15 rebounds, six steals, five assists, and three blocks. Enriquez, meanwhile, added 14 points, five rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
“Si Jesse natural na talaga ’yan. Given na yan. Malaking bagay din si Wade, laki ng naitulong niya sa larong ito,” said Pujante.
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Meanwhile, FEU-Diliman is also dealing with several injuries and illnesses within the team, according to Baby Tamaraws head coach Muriel Garcia.
“Bad kasi para sa amin kasi ang daming injuries at may sakit sa amin. Ginagawan lang namin ng paraan. Ang sinasabi lang namin is work like a Tamaraw — kailangan lagi kang gutom,” said Garcia, with Griffin Barlan, Gian Castro, Niccus Calma, Hisham Mampao, Frank Samonte, and Andres Cruz all battling injuries.
Still, the Baby Tamaraws turned in a dominant performance to follow up their 84-60 victory over the Baby Falcons last Saturday.
FEU-D led by 13 points at halftime and 14 heading into the final quarter before stretching the advantage to as many as 25, 77-52, late in the game.
Barlan posted a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Nathan Maghinay and Bernard Alsola added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
“Ginagawan lang ng paraan ng mga PT namin, kaya pinagpe-pray ko na maging healthy na yung team namin,” said Garcia.
Five Junior Warriors scored in double figures in their first loss of the season, led by Xerone Dizon’s 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Odrie Mallabo and Jameson Sena added 14 points apiece, while Austin Delos Reyes and Jaden Roxas chipped in 10 each.
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Ateneo, which fell in a tie with Adamson and UPIS at 0-2, was led by Chris Lalvore with 15 points and eight rebounds.
The Scores:
Third Game:
NUNS 83 – Arellano 19, Enriquez 14, Genido 10, Lopez 9, Macoy 8, Mayor 7, Javier 7, Flores 6, Tundag 3, Garcia 0, Dalanan 0, Pangan 0.
UE 79 – Dizon 15, Mallabo 14, Sena 14, Delos Santos 10, Roxas 10, Aguilar 7, Mercado J. 3, Mercado K. 2, Velayo 2, Redulfa 2, Ancheta 0, Riparip 0, Pontipedra 0.
Quarterscores: 24-19, 44-39, 62-61, 83-79.
Fourth Game:
FEU-D 77 – Barlan 13, Maghinay 11, Alsola 10, Isip 9, Samonte 8, Calma 6, Mampao 5, Garcia 4, Ira 4, Manaloto 3, Vale 2, Madrigal 2, Cortes 0, Salazar 0, Cruz 0.
Ateneo 55 – Llavore 15, Nuque-Bautista 11, Dela Cruz 9, Gandionco 9, Ylen 7, Saw 2, Beley 2, Molina 0, Dionisio 0, Mabigat 0, Bayona 0, Dolera 0, Lucero 0, Manlutac 0, Shi 0.
Quarterscores: 20-15, 41-28, 55-41, 77-55.
