National University Nazareth School and University of Santo Tomas are ready to reignite their rivalry at the secondary level — this time on the hardcourt, as both schools clash in the UAAP high school division finals.
For the first time in league history, NUNS and UST will face off in the best-of-three championship series in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions.
This latest chapter follows their encounters in other sporting events, such as indoor and beach volleyball.
Game 1 of the girls’ finals will tip off at 10:00 AM, followed by the boys’ finals at 12:00 PM on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Bullpups, led by young head coach and NU lifer Kevin De Castro, edged past defending champions Adamson Baby Falcons, 64-62, last Sunday to advance to their second consecutive finals appearance — their 11th in the past 12 seasons.
This time, NU will be out for revenge against the Tiger Cubs, the team that denied them an outright finals berth with a 76-56 defeat to close the elimination round.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Nabawian na namin yung Adamson, siguro ito na rin yung time na mabawian naman namin yung UST from our last game,” said De Castro.
Meanwhile, the Tiger Cubs, coached by second-year mentor Manu Iñigo, have suffered just two losses this season — one of which was a 71-60 setback against the Bullpups on opening day.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, baliwala na lahat yun, kung sino man nanalo ng first at second round. Baliwala na na nanalo kami sa second round ng 20 points, tapos na yun. Start kami back from scratch. Prepare kami ulit sa practices at mas magiging ready pa kami,” said Iñigo after their dominant 75-63 win over the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws in the Final Four.
That victory paved the way for UST’s first finals appearance in the division since Season 73 (2010).
“Alam namin na hindi papayag na NU na ganun din lalaruin nila like last time. Mag-aadjust yan at titignan namin ang mga dapat namin i-adjust para makakuha kami ng panalo.”
Reigning Most Valuable Player and presumptive winner of the league’s first-ever Best Foreign Student-Athlete award, Collins Akowe, has struggled in his last two outings.
After averaging 22.0 points and 19.42 rebounds before the final elimination round game, the 6-foot-10 Nigerian Grade 12 big man was held to just eight points and 18 rebounds against Adamson. He then managed only 11 points and six rebounds against UST.
With that in mind, De Castro is preparing key players such as Migs Palanca, Jedric Solomon, Macmac Alfanta, Jid Locsin, and Chad Cartel to step up and support the Bullpups’ quest for their first title since Season 82 (2019).
“Hindi pa tapos yung story namin this season. Siguro ito yung time na mabalik namin yung pinaghirapan namin. Eto yung one step closer sa pinaghirapan namin,” De Castro said.
“Same lang naman. We just have to be ready. Madaming adjustments pa kaming gagawin at alam namin na kung bantay-sarado si Collins, yung locals namin dapat mag-step up.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Tiger Cubs will counter with their own towering presence in 6-foot-6 forward Racine Kane from Senegal and 6-foot-6 big man Koji Buenaflor to match up against Akowe.
Iñigo’s squad also boasts a strong perimeter presence with Joaqui Ludovice, Charles Bucsit, and Kirk Cañete, all looking to end the 24-year title drought of the school in the sport.
The España-based program last won in Season 64 (2001) behind Jun Cortez.
“Siyempre, malaking bagay sa amin na maganda yung momentum namin at yung confidence ng players nagpi-peak na. Right timing lang talaga. Tuloy lang nila ang mindset at i-enjoy lang yung ginagawa namin,” Inigo added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Junior Growling Tigresses are seeking redemption in the girls’ division. Back in Season 82, UST and Adamson were tied at 1-1 in the finals before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the league to declare co-champions.
“I was there, but hindi pa ako yung coach nun. Actually, bitin yun, nagka-pandemic. Pero nakaraan na yun,” said Junior Golden Tigresses head coach Sen Dysangco, recalling former head coach Ford Grajales, who led the team at the time.
“We are looking forward, not backward, but this is still part of UST’s culture and history. We will try to give a good showing in the Finals.”
This time, the Tigresses are led by presumptive MVP Barby Dajao, Rhiane Perez, Katrina Insoy, and Giorgina Anonuevo. The Tigresses have dominated the Lady Bullpups this season, winning 75-69 on February 6 before getting a convincing 91-66 victory on March 6 to sweep the elimination round.
Determined to reverse their fortunes, Lady Bullpups head coach Camilla Escoto is preparing her squad — featuring Gilas Girls’ standouts Aubrey Lapasaran and Ashlyn Abong, alongside Zaydhen Rosano and Ashley Trinidad — to overcome the Tigresses.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“In terms of depth, ‘yon yung gusto ko kasi gusto ko balanced kami against a stacked UST lineup — na whoever gets into the court, makakapag-contribute. Malaking bagay ‘yun, especially yung iba kong players coming back from their minor injuries,” said Escoto.
“Ang laking boost ng ganitong depth and they’re already building their confidence. This is an additional force for us against UST.”
Game 2 of the series is set for March 20, while a potential winner-take-all Game 3 is scheduled for March 27. All games will be held at the San Juan arena.
All games will air live on the Pilipinas Live app.
