Defending champion National University Nazareth School moved closer to an elimination-round sweep after defeating Far Eastern University-Diliman, 75-67, in the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ 16-and-under Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Bullpups improved to 12-0, extending their winning streak to 28 games dating back to last season while completing a sweep of last season’s finalists.
“Di po pwede talaga mag-relax kasi hindi pa naman champion eh. Kung manalo o matalo kami, wala naman kwenta yun eh,” said RJ Mayor, who started in place of Dwyane Wade Enriquez, who was under the weather and saw limited minutes.
“Kumbaga, mag-celebrate lang kami kapag tapos na yung liga, matalo, matalo, stay composed lang kami,” Mayor added.
After the Baby Tams took an early 9-7 lead, the Bullpups responded with a 15-4 run to close the first quarter ahead, 22-13.
NUNS then asserted its dominance in the paint, stretching its advantage to as many as 14 points, 54-40, in the third quarter. Although FEU-D managed to trim the deficit to single digits in the fourth, the Bullpups’ presence inside on both ends of the floor proved decisive.
“Taas naman ang morale ng mga bata. We’re doing fine, kung hindi, edi yari sila sa akin,” quipped head coach Leo Pujante.
Mayor led NUNS with 15 points, while Aaron Dalanan posted a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds. Andrie Lopez and Martin Macoy chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively, while Jesse Arellano contributed eight points, 19 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and two blocks.
The Bullpups will next face the already-eliminated Ateneo Blue Eagles in their penultimate elimination-round game on September 14 at the same venue.
FEU-D remained in second place at 9-3, holding a half-game lead over third-running De La Salle Zobel.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Hisham Mampao paced the Baby Tams with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Nicus Calma and Bernard Alsola added 12 points apiece. Marc Isip chipped in 10 points on perfect shooting from the field and the free-throw line.
FEU-D will look to bounce back against the already-eliminated Adamson Baby Falcons on September 15 at the same venue.
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas kept its flickering Final Four hopes alive by stunning De La Salle Zobel, 98-91, to snap a two-game losing streak.
The victory brought the Tiger Cubs back to the win column, but their postseason fate remains out of their hands. UST needs to beat the University of the Philippines Integrated School in its final game and hope that the University of the East loses both of its remaining assignments to force a playoff for the last semifinal berth.
After a series of late-game collapses, head coach Noli Mejos was grateful that his players stayed composed and fought through the final quarter.
“Kailangan naming tapusin ‘tong season nang maayos. Last game namin against UP, same pa rin, wala kaming pinagbabago kahit sa training,” he said.
UST came out firing, building a 31-18 first-quarter advantage behind Mac Macasarte’s strong offensive showing. The Junior Archers responded in the second period, however, with Fonzie Mercado catching fire from beyond the arc to cut the deficit to eight, 54-46, at halftime.
Undeterred by La Salle’s resurgence, the Tiger Cubs regained control after the break, with Miguel Austria helping fuel their offense as UST stretched its lead to as many as 21 points, 93-72.
DLSZ mounted one final rally to cut the deficit back to single digits, but the Tiger Cubs had built enough of a cushion to secure the crucial victory.
“Ngayon lang siguro talagang hindi kami bumigay. Sayang, pero ganoon talaga. Kahit anong mangyari, kahit ano ang standings, kailangang ipanalo,” Mejos added.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Macasarte spearheaded UST with 27 points, four rebounds, three blocks, and two steals, while Austria delivered a double-double of 17 points and 21 rebounds in a full 40-minute outing.
Eldon Eusebio added 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals, while Wayne Anggot and Nicolai Cabañero contributed 11 points apiece. All 10 Tiger Cubs who saw action scored at least two points.
UST will close out its elimination-round campaign against UPIS on September 17 at the DLSZ Sports Pavilion.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
DLSZ, meanwhile, dropped to 9-4 but remained in third place behind the Baby Tamaraws.
Mercado erupted for 32 points, attempting all 17 of his field-goal attempts from beyond the arc and knocking down 10 triples. He scored his remaining two points from the free-throw line.
Enzo Purugganan added 20 points, while his twin brother Ice recorded a double-double of 11 points and 10 assists. James Enriquez contributed 10 points, while Rye Villaruz was limited to four points in 17 minutes due to foul trouble.
The Junior Archers will take on defending champion NUNS on November 17 at home at the DLSZ Sports Pavilion.
The Scores:
First Game
UST (98) — Macasarte 27, Austria 17, Eusebio 14, Anggot 11, Cabañero 11, Cuello 6, Umbaña 6, Bathan 2, Collado 2, Abototo 2.
DLSZ (91) — Mercado 32, E. Purugganan 20, I. Purugganan 11, Enriquez 10, Dizon 9, Noel 5, Villaruz 4, Paceno 0, Montes 0, Quillo 0, Francisco 0.
Quarterscores: 31-18, 54-46, 85-67, 98-91.
Second Game
NUNS (75) — Mayor 15, Dalanan 14, Lopez 11, Macoy 10, Arellano 8, Cano 8, Enriquez 6, Genido 3, Flores 0.
FEU-D (67) — Mampao 16, Calma 12, Alsola 12, Isip 10, Barlan 9, Ira 6, Cruz 0, Madrigal 0, Samonte 0, Vale 0, Castro 0, Garcia 0.
Quarterscores: 22-13, 39-30, 57-45, 75-67.
