National University Nazareth School and defending champion University of Santo Tomas delivered contrasting performances ahead of their Finals rematch in the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament, Thursday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
The Bullpups narrowly avoided a 19-point collapse in the fourth quarter, relying on clutch plays from Chad Cartel and Malian center Moussa Diakite to secure a hard-fought 84-78 win over the University of the East Junior Warriors.
Meanwhile, Jetlee Melano was unstoppable for the Tiger Cubs, firing 25 points on 9-of-10 shooting with four rebounds in just over 14 minutes, leading UST to a dominant 112-57 rout of the winless University of the Philippines Integrated School Fighting Maroons, snapping a two-game skid in the process.
With the win, NUNS claimed solo third place at 4-2, while UST now sits tied with UE at 2-4 for fifth place as both teams prepare for their Season 87 Finals rematch on Sunday, February 1, at the Adamson Gym to close the first round.
“Expected ko na yung run kasi yung UE, kailangan din nila manalo dahil isa rin sila sa contenders ‘eh. Thankful lang din ako kasi kahit papaano, yung composure [sa] dulo, nandoon. Nasanay na kami dahil sa first few games namin, kaya nag-translate ngayon sa araw na ito,” NUNS head coach Kevin de Castro said.
The Bullpups held a slim 67-60 lead late in the third quarter before strung together 12 straight points, thanks to timely hits from Ronnie Juan, Kurl Figueroa, and Miekho Natinga, putting UE in a 79-60 hole with 8:25 left.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Junior Warriors responded with a 16-0 surge, fueled by back-to-back triples from Ethan Aguas and Jolo Pascual, plus a layup from JM Edoukou, cutting the deficit to just three at 79-76 with 3:20 remaining.
After Figueroa and Pascual traded inside shots, NUNS capitalized on crucial miscues—a Sizco Roquid turnover, a missed Edoukou layup, and a missed Pascual triple—before Cartel sank a free throw and Diakite delivered the decisive inside basket to hand UE its third straight loss.
Cartel led NUNS with 17 points, including 16 in the first half, adding four rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, while Diakite finished with 12 points, 20 rebounds, two blocks, and an assist. Corian Cabantog contributed 10 points, one rebound, one steal, and one assist, Shaun Lucido added nine points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal, and Figueroa rounded out the balanced attack with nine points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and one assist.
For UE, Aguas was the lone double-digit scorer with 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, along with eight rebounds, two blocks, an assist, and a steal. Jamal Diaz and Drei Lorenzo chipped in nine points each, while Roquid had eight points on 3-of-12 shooting, adding five rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the later game, UST built on a commanding 57-27 halftime lead with a 24-3 run in the third quarter, highlighted by 15 straight points from Melano and Wacky Ludovice. Timely contributions from Liam Acido and Dustin Bathan pushed UPIS to an 83-36 deficit entering the fourth.
The Tiger Cubs effectively sealed the win as Tomas Cruz and Nigerian center Ola Ajani scored layups, while Jhon Canapi and Cruz added triples to stretch the lead to 50 points at 93-43 with more than six minutes remaining.
UST shot an efficient 43-of-87 from the field, outrebounded UPIS 52-35, dished out 28 assists, and recorded 19 steals en route to their second win in four outings.
“Always happy ako na manalo. ‘Yon naman yung goal natin every game na manalo tayo. Okay din itong panalo na ito dahil at least may confidence kami pagdating ng NUNS game. Malaking boost ito para sa next game namin at sana magtuloy-tuloy na,” Tiger Cubs head coach Manu Inigo said.
Team captain Kirk Canete recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 assists, adding five rebounds and five steals, while Ajani contributed 14 points, 13 rebounds, three steals, two assists, and a block. Ludovice added 11 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals, and Acido chipped in 11 points and two rebounds off the bench.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For UPIS, Gilas Boys forward Jhustin Hallare led the team with 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Bruce Tubongbanua had 11 points, 13 rebounds, and an assist in the loss.
The Scores:
Third Game:
NUNS (84) – Cartel 17, Diakite 12, Cabantog 10, Lucido 9, Figueroa 9, Natinga 8, M. Matias 7, R. Matias 6, Juan 4, Bouzina 2.
UE (78) – Aguas 25, Diaz 9, Lorenzo 9, Roquid 8, Pascual 5, Edoukou 5, Timbol 5, Bual 4, Braga 3, Oraa 3, Delos Reys 2, Abellar 0, Orca 0.
Quarterscores: 23-11, 48-35, 72-60, 84-78.
Fourth Game:
UST (112) – Melano 25, Canete 17, Ajani 14, Ludovice 11, Acido 11, Canapi 6, Bathan 6, Cruz 5, Esteban 4, Sta. Maria 3, Vidanes 3, Lapastora 3, Bandigan 2, Pulongbarit 2, Candare 0, Bohol 0.
UPIS (57) – Hallare 18, Tubongbanua 11, Addatu 7, Lugatiman 6, M. Rosete 5, Poquiz 4, Pascual 3, Hernandez 3, Labao 0, Manguerra 0, Cobico 0.
Quarterscores: 33-17, 57-27, 83-36, 112-57.
