NATIONAL UNIVERSITY Nazareth School opened demonstration event UAAP Season 86 Juniors High School Boys’ Basketball with a statement, taking a resounding 110-40 rout of Adamson University on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Arena.
It was a dominant showing for the Bullpups, racing to a 32-0 start and never looking back.
The Baby Falcons, the youngest team in the league featuring a couple of 13-year-olds, only scored seven points in the opening frame — all from free throws.
Six Bullpups scored in double-figures with winger Shaun Lucido leading the way with 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting with five steals.
A couple of second-generation players also delivered with Rob Celiz, son of former Bulldog Robby Celiz, producing 19 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal while Mot Motias, son of ex-PBA pro Ronnie, got 10 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.
Fave Quinto (15 points), Denver Sison (13 points, 6 rebounds), and Sean Reroma (10 points) also put up the buckets for NUNS, who forced Adamson to commit 47 turnovers that led to 51 points.
“Very happy ako na may ganito na ang UAAP para mabigyan ng exposure yung grassroots namin,” said NUNS head coach Kevin De Castro.
“Sabi ko nga sa players namin, ito yung stage 1 sa development nila as basketball players. Sixteen-under tapos 19-under then college. Hopefully, maging regular event eto,” the young tactician continued.
Kobe Urbina was the sole double-digit scorer for the Baby Falcons with 10 points.
Far Eastern University-Diliman and. also scored wins on opening day with the former surging ahead in the fourth to take a 76-63 victory over University of Santo Tomas while De La Salle-Zobel gutted out a 73-71 triumph over University of the East.
Ken Atienza, who was also part of the Junior Archers’ Under-19 team that finished sixth place in the High School Boys’ tourney, knocked down the go-ahead bucket for DLSZ, barrelling his way inside for a lay-in with 29.2 seconds left.
On the other end, Mab Mesina missed a well-contested three attempt.
Though the Junior Warriors were able to force an eight-second violation that gave them one last shot with 6.5 seconds remaining, Louie Banal overcooked his layup as time expired.
Atienza ended up with a 13-point, 16-rebound double-double for DLSZ while Melvin Tailan and Vince Magan scored 23 points each.
Pat Pasinos dropped a monster double-double for the Baby Tamaraws with 22 points and 19 rebounds. Jharred Gutierrez also finished with a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Lorenz Cinco paced the Tiger Cubs with 22 points.
Bual steered the Junior Warriors with 17 points and eight assists while Ethan Aguas tallied 15 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals.
Round 2 of the tournament will be on Saturday at Adamson University Gym.
The Scores:
First Game:
FEU-D 75 – Pasinos 22, Gutierrez 12, Pascual 11, Dok 10, Dulin 8, Lopez 5, Cagurungan 4, Dagcutan 2, Carino 1, Chua 0, Miranda 0.
UST 63 – Cinco, 22, Dela Cruz 14, Bohol 8, Cabanero 8, Castro 6, Bathan 5, Sy 0, Guerrero 0, Sangki 0, Knowles 0.
Quarterscores: 17-14, 38-35, 53-50, 75-63.
Second Game:
NUNS 110 – Lucido 20, Celiz 19, Quinto 15, Sison 13, Matias 10, Reroma 10, Enguio 9, Callueng 7, Mejia 4, Tulabut 3, Vitug 0, Tolentino 0, Tacneng 0, Toring 0.
ADU 40 – Urbina 10, Borbon 7, Ching 6, Santiago 6, Bariacto 5, Hall 3, Sambeli 2, Fernandez 1, Calma 0, Bautista 0, Liwanag 0, Sevilla 0, Cruz 0, Pantia 0, Velasco 0, Abella 0.
Quarterscores: 33-7, 65-17, 83-29, 110-40.
Third Game:
DLSZ 73 – Tailan 23, Magan 23, Atienza 13, Dimayuga 7, Gubat 4, Cruz 3, Llamas 0, Reyes 0, Callanta 0, Tamayo 0.
UE 71 – Bual 17, Aguas 15, Dahino 12, Oraa 8, Mesina 7, Abella 6, Bungar 3, Roquid 3, Garcia 0, Ferreros 0.
Quarterscores: 25-12, 40-40, 61-58, 73-71
