NATIONAL UNIVERSITY Nazareth School closed in on a semifinal slot in the UAAP Season 86 Junior High School Basketball Tournament, dealing Far Eastern University-Diliman its first loss via a 70-61 decision on Wednesday at the Amoranto Arena in Quezon City.
With a 4-0 record, the Bullpups can clinch a spot in the knockout semis if they defeat the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday at the same venue.
Motivated were Kevin De Castro’s boys to defeat the Baby Tamaraws in their elimination round game in this demonstration event for under-16 student-athletes as they have been beaten numerous times by the same team in numerous preseason tournaments.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, kahit na ang sama ng nilalaro natin, dikit yung game. Yung composure nila lumabas,” said De Castro.
“Sabi ko lang sa kanila, tinalo nila tayo nung preseason kaya gawin natin yung motivation. Happy ako na nag-respond sila with the leadership of this guy, Mot Matias,” he added.
It was a nip-and-tuck first three quarters for the two sides with FEU-D leading 48-47.
With the floor generalship of Matias who worked to find his open teammates, the Bullpups went on a 16-5 spurt to start the final frame to gain the lead for good.
When the Baby Tams tried to rally back, the 5-foot-9 Matias then took charge with clutch buckets to secure the victory.
Matias ended up with 10 points and seven assists.
With just two games left on their calendar, De Castro wants to see more from his wards.
“Actually, madami pa ko gusto makita lalo sa depensa, madami pang lapses. Etong UAAP na ito, magandang preparation ito once they get to the under-19 ranks. Happy kami na may ganitong event talaga,” said De Castro, who steered the Bullpups to a runner-up finish in the Boys’ Basketball Tournament two months ago.
Shaun Lucido led the Bullpups with 25 points, going 7-of-14 from the field and 9-of-10 from the charity stripe. Rob Celiz added 16 points, bouncing back from his seven-point outing last Sunday against University of Santo Tomas.
Travis Pascual and Prince Carino, on the other hand, paced the Baby Tams with the former tallying 15 points, six rebounds, four steals, and four assists while the latter got 14 points and five rebounds.
FEU-D fell to 4-1.
In the other games, UST rose to solo third, handing De La Salle-Zobel its second straight defeat with a 78-68 victory while University of the East kept its semis hopes alive after a 79-48 rout of Ateneo.
The Tiger Cubs once again leaned on Lorenz Cinco, who finished with 24 points, six rebounds, and six assists, to rise to 3-2.
Supporting Cinco were Dustin Bathan (18 points) and Andwele Cabanero (13 points).
Meanwhile, Ethan Aguas continued his stellar play for the now 2-2 Junior Warriors, producing a double-double of 19 points and 15 rebounds to go with five steals, four blocks, and two assists.
Mav Mesina and Enrico Bungar chipped in 10 apiece for UE.
UE is now tied for fourth with DLSZ with identical 2-2 slates.
Melvin Tailan finished with 22 points for the Junior Archers while Ken Atienza and Kyean Gubat logged double-doubles.
Ateneo remained winless in four games played to tie idle Adamson at the bottom of the standings.
The Scores:
First Game:
UST 78 – Cinco 24, Bathan 18, Cabanero 13, Bohol 6, Sy 4, Guerrero 4, Castro 3, Knowles 3, Dela Cruz 2, De Castro 1.
DLSZ 68 – Talian 22, Atienza 18, Gubat 14, Dimayuga 9, Echave 3, Cruz 2, Magan 0, Callanta 0, Llamas 0, Almazan 0, Arabon 0.
Quarterscores: 20-19, 41-39, 60-54, 78-68.
Second Game:
UE 79 – Aguas 19, Mesina 10, Bungar 10, Roquid 9, Bual 8, Garcia 8, Ferreros 6, Abellar 5, Dahino 3, Oraa 1, Dalosa 0, Cadorna 0.
Ateneo 48 – Magpoc 9, Molina 9, Lanot 8, Santos 6, Bautista 5, Kallos 4, Ngo 3, Juangco 2, Jazul 2, Gatmaitan 0, Enrique 0, De Ocampo 0, Aquino 0.
Quarterscores: 12-6, 32-17, 55-34, 79-48.
Third Game:
NUNS 70 – Lucido 25, Celiz 16, Matias 10, Callueng 7, Quinto 4, Sison 4, Tolentino 2, Vitug 2, Sundiang 0, Tulabut 0.
FEU-D 61 – Pascual 15, Carino 14, Gutierrez 9, Pasinos 6, Cagurungan 5, Dagcutan 4, Dulin 4, Lopez 2, Hufano 2, Chua 0.
Quarterscores: 15-15, 31-31, 47-48, 70-61.
