David Sabareza delivered a spectacular performance to push National University Nazareth School to the brink of the UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Basketball title, dominating Far Eastern University-Diliman, 79-49, in Game 1 of the Finals on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Determined to cap his 16U stint as a champion, Sabareza locked in from the opening tip.
The 16-year-old forward erupted for 26 points in the first half alone, torching FEU-D with 11 in the opening frame before adding 15 more in the second to help the Bullpups build a commanding 47-29 halftime lead.
His offensive outburst came at a perfect time, with Malian center Moussa Diakite struggling early and managing just one point across the first two periods.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“I just told my team to respect the opponent kahit na tinalo namin sila ng dalawang beses. Hindi naman sila aabot ng championship kung wala silang laman,” said NUNS head coach Leo Pujante after the wire-to-wire win that placed them on the doorstep of a 16-game season sweep.
“They are still good, tinalo nga nila ang Adamson at UST. Samantalang kami, akala ko nga mangangalawang kami kasi nagpahinga kami ng two weeks.”
The Bullpups will aim to clinch the crown — and complete the sweep — in Game 2 on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, while the Baby Tamaraws look to extend the series to a do-or-die.
NUNS booked an outright Finals berth after a dominant 14-0 sweep of the elimination round, winning by an average margin of 23.42 points. Their closest victory was a 72-68 escape over FEU-D in the second round.
Game 1, however, was never in doubt. The Bullpups imposed their will early, storming to a 22-6 lead behind Sabareza, Ian Manalo, Loin Lalong-isip, Dean Tria, and Caleb Liwanag.
They also clamped down defensively on FEU-D’s main weapons. Prince Cariño was limited to nine points on 3-of-6 shooting, adding eight rebounds but committing six turnovers. Dwyne Enriquez finished with just seven points on 3-of-9 shooting and four turnovers.
“Ang inisip ko lang muna ay maging leader sa court then tinulungan ko lang ang teammates ko. Sinabihan ko lang din sila sa mga dapat nilang i-adjust,” said Sabareza, who finished with an all-around gem of 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting, five rebounds, five steals, two assists, and a block.
Tria chipped in nine points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Manalo tallied eight points, five assists, four rebounds, and four steals.
Despite being held to only five points, Diakite still made his presence felt with 15 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and a steal, all while drawing heavy defensive attention from FEU-D.
NUNS also forced the Baby Tamaraws into 31 turnovers, converting those into 26 points. In contrast, the Bullpups kept their own miscues to just 12.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Prince Pineda was the lone Baby Tamaraw in double figures with 13 points and nine rebounds.
FEU-D, which finished third after eliminations, advanced to the Finals after defeating Adamson University in the stepladder quarterfinals, 90-76. They then stunned second-ranked University of Santo Tomas in the semifinals, 82-75.
The Scores:
NUNS (79) – Sabareza 30, Tria 9, Manalo 8, Gatumbato 6, Khobuntin 6, Diakite 5, Arzola 4, Liwanag 3, Peña 2, Enriquez 2, Lalong-isip 2, Sinda 2, Yanga 0, Geron 0, Romero 0, Santiago 0.
FEU-D (49) – Pineda 13, Cariño 9, Enriquez 7, Mampao 5, Desiderio 5, Mojica 4, Barlan 3, Calma 2, Daa 1, Chavez 0, Cruz 0, Maghinay 0, Cañete 0.
Quarterscores: 23-9, 47-29, 61-35, 79-49.
