NATIONAL UNIVERSITY Nazareth School showed no rust despite having a two-week break, romping past De La Salle-Zobel, 90-75, to take its second win in a row in the UAAP Season 86 Junior High School Basketball Tournament on Sunday at FEU-Diliman Gym in Quezon City.
It was a dominant showing for the Bullpups, who blasted the Adamson Baby Falcons on opening day 110-40, dealing the Junior Archers their first loss in three games.
“Happy ako sa performance nila kasi nakita ko tinrabaho nila ito mula practice hanggang sa laro,” said Bullpups head coach Kevin de Castro.
Rob Celiz, son of former NU Bulldog Robby, fired 21 points on five treys while Mot Matias, son of ex-PBA pro Ronnie, tallied 12 points, 14 assists, and eight rebounds for their second victory in this under-16 demonstration event.
“Credit sa kanila, lalo na si Matias — siya yung naging facilitator namin lalo na 14 assists. Buti na lang din buenas yung kamay ni Celiz. Sana mag tuloy-tuloy,” said De Castro.
Chester Tulabut and Shaun Lucido also got 15 points apiece.
DLSZ, who fell to 2-1 for a tie with University of Santo Tomas, was led by Vince Magan, who got 16 points. Kyean Gubat added 15 markers while Ken Atienza tallied a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Meanwhile, gameday host FEU-D cruised to its third win in as many games, drubbing young Adamson University, 112-39.
The Baby Tamaraws saw all but one of its student-athletes score at least three points in the contest.
Mark Dulin went a perfect 9-of-9 from the field for 22 points.
Senegalese big man Mangisto Dok Dongrin grabbed nine rebounds as well.
Kobe Urbina was the sole double-digit scorer for the Baby Falcons, tallying 12 points and 12 rebounds.
University of Santo Tomas, on the other hand, rode the hot hands of Lorenz Cinco to vanquish Ateneo de Manila University, 81-65, to score its second straight win.
Cinco caught fire, dropping 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting from the field — 3-of-4 from downtown — to go with six assists and four rebounds.
Supporting him in the Tiger Cubs’ breakaway was Andwele Cabanero — younger brother of Growling Tiger Nic, who got 15 points, eight rebounds, four steals, and three assists.
Alfonso Tan paced the Blue Eagles with 23 points, six rebounds, six assists, and four steals.
Ateneo, which fell to 0-2, were still without forward Ziv Espinas and big man Owen Calanasan.
The Scores:
First Game:
NUNS 90 – Celiz 21, Tulabut 15, Lucido 15, Matias 12, Sison 8, Qiunto 6, Sundiang 6, Reroma 3, Vitug 2, Tolentino 2, Tacneng 0, Mejia 0, Enguio 0.
DLSZ 75 – Magan 16, Gubat 15, Tailan 14, Atienza 14, Dimayuga 10, Cruz 5, Echave 1, Callanta 0, Almazan 0, Dalaten 0, Llamas 0, Reyes 0, Arabon 0.
Quarterscores: 26-20, 55-38, 70-54, 90-75.
Second Game:
FEU-D 112 – Dulin 22, Pascual 11, Pasinos 10, Carino 9, Rivera 8, Gutierrez 8, Lopez 7, Cagurungan 7, Pingris 7, Chua 6, Alvarez 6, Dagcutan 5, Miranda 3, Donrin 3, Isip 0.
ADU 39 – Urbina 12, Bariacto 7, Borbon 4, Santiago 4, Cruz 3, Ching 3, Sambeli 2, Liwanag 2, Fernandez 2, Pantia 0 Hall 0, Abella 0, Bautista 0, Sevilla 0.
Quarterscores: 31-10, 54-19, 85-28, 112-39.
Third Game:
UST 81 – Cinco 16, Cabanero 15, Bathan 14, Sy 13, Bohol 5, Castro 3, Siguan 2, Sangki 2, Guerrero 1, Dela Cruz 0, De Castro 0, Knowles 0, Valenzona 0, Aguilar 0, Javier 0.
Ateneo 65 – Tan 23, Aquino 9, Magpoc 8, Kallos 7, Gatmaitan 5, Ngo 5, Santos 3, Molina 3, Enrique 2, De Ocampo 0, Bautista 0, Juangco 0, Jazul 0.
Quarterscores: 18-15, 37-25, 52-40, 81-65.
