National University Nazareth School wasted no time in making history in the UAAP Season 88 Girls’ Basketball Tournament, opening its redemption campaign with a record-breaking 155-29 victory over Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday morning at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
The 126-point rout marked the largest winning margin in UAAP girls’ basketball history, as the Lady Bullpups erased the previous mark of 124 points set by defending champion University of Santo Tomas against the same opponent on February 16, 2025 — a 170-46 win.
Determined to bounce back from a runner-up finish in Season 87, NUNS immediately set the tone for its title bid. Inday Sales and Aubrey Lapasaran spearheaded the dominant showing against the Blue Eagles.
Sales paced a balanced attack that saw 10 Lady Bullpups score in double figures, finishing with 19 points, six assists, three rebounds, and one steal.
Lapasaran added 15 points, eight steals, four assists, and three rebounds as NUNS handed new head coach Ai Lebornio a winning debut at the UAAP girls’ basketball level.
Lebornio previously handled the University of the East women’s basketball team before taking over the Lady Bullpups program from former head coach Camilla Escoto.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“It’s a blessing sa team at para sa amin. Noong pumunta naman kami dito, sinabi naman namin sa mga bata na we’ll play hard kasi this season, subukan ulit [mag-champion]. Last season, masakit pa sa kanila na hindi nakuha. Ngayon, dreamers yung mga bata na makuha namin this year,” Lebornio said.
“Hindi naman namin makukuha ‘yon kung hindi namin pagdadaanan lahat. Excited kami at excited ako to coach yung mga players na ito kasi since nung dumating ako, yung pag-welcome ng mga bata at kung paano sila maglaro at naghanda, hindi naging madali. Kaya excited ako sa ipapakita nila ngayong season.”
The Lady Bullpups asserted their dominance early, erupting for a 37-4 opening quarter before leaning on baskets from Zane Singson, Zaydhen Rosano, and Lapasaran to build a massive 80-10 lead at halftime.
Through the first 20 minutes, Ateneo was held to just 10 points on 5-of-21 shooting and committed 33 turnovers, allowing NUNS to dictate the pace from start to finish.
NUNS then continued to capitalize on the Blue Eagles’ struggles. Angelika Agad and Rhys Luzana found their range from beyond the arc to stretch the lead to 117-14 heading into the payoff period and effectively seal the wire-to-wire victory.
For the game, the Lady Bullpups shot an efficient 70-of-119 from the field for a 58.8-percent clip, while limiting Ateneo to only 12 made baskets on 59 attempts and forcing a total of 43 turnovers.
KJ Badajos chipped in 15 points along with five assists, four rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Queennie Cordero also finished with 15 points to go with five assists, three steals, and three rebounds.
Hasly Mallari came close to notching a triple-double, posting 14 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Audrey Bongcog added 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block.
NUNS will look to sustain its momentum when it faces De La Salle Zobel on Thursday, January 22, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, Tyler Templo led Ateneo in the loss with 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Cheska Gozum contributed nine points and seven rebounds.
The Blue Eagles will aim to regroup ahead of another tough assignment against the Junior Growling Tigresses next Sunday, January 18, at the same venue.
The Scores:
NUNS (155) – Sales 19, Badajos 15, Cordero 15, Lapasaran 15, Mallari 14, Biongcog 14, Agad 11, Singson 11, Rosano 10, Arciaga 10, Onate 8, Luzana 5, Olmos 4, Katigbak 4.
Ateneo (29) – Templo 11, Gozum 9, Molina 5, Ebao 4, Trillo 0, Doque 0, Palmiery 0, Mariano 0, Vejerano 0, Madamba 0, Ablang 0, Chuidian 0, Dalanon 0.
Quarterscores: 37-4, 80-10, 117-14, 155-29.
