The inaugural final of the UAAP Junior High School Basketball Tournament ended up being one for the books.
And it all boiled down to one last shot.
Rob Celiz nailed the biggest play of the tournament, knocking down a buzzer-beating corner triple to give National University Nazareth School a thrilling, come-from-behind 68-67 victory over Far Eastern University-Diliman in the winner-take-all finale of the demonstration event on Saturday at Amoranto Arena.
Down two with 1.7 seconds remaining in the contest, inbounder Mot Matias was able to find Celiz in the corner.
Celiz then threw a quick attempt over the outstretched arms of Jharred Gutierrez.
Both cheers and tears engulfed the packed venue, which was split right down the middle – one side clad in green and gold, while the other wore blue and gold.
“Sabi ko, babawi talaga ako. Wala akong masabi, babawi talaga ako at buti na lang na-shoot,” said Rob, the 16-year-old son of former Bulldog and ex-PBA pro Robby.
“Wala akong masabi sa kanya. Sabi ko sa kanya, bibigay ko yung bola sa kanya. Kahit nagkamali siya nung 26 seconds, sa kanya pa rin yung final play,” said Bullpups head coach De Castro.
“Pagka-shoot, napaluhod nga ako.”
Celiz, who was crowned the Finals MVP, ended up with 14 points – 11 in the final quarter – laced with six rebounds.
It was the sweetest of victories for De Castro, who had been the best man but never the groom during the Finals of the High School Boys’ Tournaments in seasons 85 and 86.
(C) Julius Domondon/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Sobrang saya. Yung game talagang hard-fought. Eto yung dini-dream nila, yung game-winning shots,” said De Castro.
However, the Bullpups needed to grind out this win, rallying back from a 14-point deficit.
Down 59-45 midway through the final frame, the trio of Shaun Lucido, Mot Matias, and Celiz took charge. They combined for a 20-6 spurt, with Celiz tying the game at 65-all after two free throws with 1:04 remaining.
Matias and Lucido, though, would go down with cramps with 50 seconds left, but both young Bullpups still powered through it.
With 1.7 seconds left, JB Cagurungan took matters into his own hands, nailing a long fadeaway over Chester Tulabut to give FEU-D the lead.
(C) Julius Domondon/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Then Celiz’s heroics happened.
Lucido, the season MVP, led NUNS with 24 points, four rebounds, and three steals, while Matias tallied 13 points, four rebounds, and four steals.
(C) Julius Domondon/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Pagpasok ko pa lang sa NU, nasa isip ko na kailangan ko mapa-champion ang school na ito at makilala ako dito sa Manila. Talagang pinagtrabahuan ko po ito since Day 1,” said Lucido, a 16-year-old winger from Bicol.
Lead FEU-D guard Travis Pascual got 13 points, while Pat Pasinos produced 11 points and nine rebounds.
Gutierrez, Mark Dulin, and Cagurungan all added eight points apiece as well for the Mark Isip-coached Baby Tamaraws.
(C) Julius Domondon/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Joining Lucido in the Mythical Five were Matias (92.5 SPs), UST’s Lorenz Cinco (84.5), DLSZ’s Ken Atienza (84.167), and Ateneo’s Alfonso Tan (80.4).
(C) Julius Domondon/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
In the first game, the University of the East bagged bronze after romping past the University of Santo Tomas, 90-81.
The Scores:
Final:
NUNS 68 – Lucido 24, Celiz 14, Matias 13, Vitug 6, Sison 4, Tulabut 4, Mejia 0, Sundiang 0, Tolentino 0, Callueng 0, Quinto 0.
FEU-D 67 – Pascual 13, Pasinos 11, Gutierrez 8, Dulin 8, Cagurungan 8, Dagcutan 6, Carino 6, Chua 3, Lopez 2.
Quarterscores: 22-20, 29-32, 43-51, 68-67.
Bronze medal match:
UE 90 – Abellar 20, Aguas 15, Roquid 11, Mesina 11, Dahino 10, Bual 8, Garcia 7, Bungar 4, Oraa 2, Ferreros 2, Cadorna 0, Dalosa 0.
UST 81 – Sy 22, Cinco 14, Cabanero 14, Castro 11, Bohol 8, Knowles 5, Valenzona 4, Guerrero 3, Bathan 0, Siguan 0, Dela Cruz 0, De Castro 0.
Quarterscores: 23-16, 46-33, 70-60, 90-81.
