NATIONAL University Nazareth School ended Far Eastern University-Diliman’s reign with an 80-69 victory Wednesday in the UAAP Season 86 high school boys basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
“Happy ako sa kanila at ibinigay nila yung best nila, yung heart nila,” said coach Kevin de Castro after the Bullpups avenged their loss to the Baby Tamaraws in the Final Four last year that ended a streak of 10 consecutive championship appearances.
“Finals appearance, hindi pa namin masyadong iniisip kasi hindi pa tapos ang goal namin. Yung main goal namin ay hanggang dulo. Tignan namin, sana maging favored sa amin ang last two games,” he added.
Nigerian center Collins Akowe came through with 24 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks, while Klein Tagotongan added 12 points, four boards, and two assists.
NUNS will face top-ranked Adamson University, which defeated University of Santo Tomas in the other bracket earlier in the day, in the best-of-three series starting at 4 p.m. on Sunday at the same San Juan arena. Both schools have also qualified for the Smart-NBTC National Finals in March.
The Bullpups were swept by the Baby Falcons in their elimination round head-to-head.
After FEU-D cut the deficit to five on a Veejay Pre jumper, Tagotongan hit a triple and Akowe scored two free throws to give NUNS a 76-66 buffer with 1:14 remaining.
Pre had a double-double of 23 points and 10 boards while Cabs Cabonilas added 13 points and six rebounds for the Baby Tamaraws.
The Scores:
NUNS (80) – Akowe 24, Tagotongan 12, Usop 10, Alfanta 9, Yusi 7, Nepacena 6, Reroma 4, Palanca 4, Cartel 2, Solomon 2, Barraca 0.
FEU-D (69) – Pre 23, Cabonilas 13, Daa 11, Miller 7, Miranda 6, Burgos 6, De Guzman 2, Godoy 1, Salangsang 0, Herbito 0, Cabigting 0.
Quarterscores: 26-16, 47-40, 61-52, 80-69
