BIG MAC Tadeo sank the biggest shot of his young career, nailing a clutch jumper with 6.4 seconds remaining to lift National University Nazareth School to a dramatic 77-76 victory over Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Down 76-75 with eight seconds left, Bullpups head coach Kevin De Castro turned to Tadeo after Chester Tulabut fouled out.
De Castro placed his trust in the 6-foot-4 big man from Pampanga, and Tadeo delivered, calmly sinking the game-winning shot.
“Yung last play na yun, wala na si Chester. It’s either si Dave (Sabareza) or Mac. Luckily, nalibre siya sa gitna. Alam ko talaga na capable siya to score,” said De Castro.
“Gusto talaga namin manalo,” added the soft-spoken Tadeo, who finished with an impressive double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Ateneo had one final chance, but Zane Kallos missed a driving layup as time expired.
“Sabi ko sa kanila na alam natin na capable to score si Zane and to create for his teammates. We just made it hard for him. Alam ko babawi siya. I have to give credit kay Dwayne (Khobuntin) dahil siya yung primary defender ni Zane,” said De Castro.
The son of Glenn Khobuntin held the MVP frontrunner to just nine points on a dismal 2-of-20 shooting.
The win improved NUNS’ record to 6-7, solidifying their hold on solo fourth place, while Ateneo fell to 4-7.
De La Salle-Zobel (5-6) was still playing University of Santo Tomas (8-4) at press time.
“First of all, gusto ko magpasalamat kay Lord na binigay niya sa amin ang panalo na ‘to. Very happy ako sa mga bata kasi nag-respond sila sa gusto namin mangyari,” shared De Castro, who admitted he walked out of practice on Saturday, frustrated with the team’s lackluster effort during training.
The Bullpups built a 14-point lead, 53-39, early in the third quarter before Ateneo mounted a furious comeback, eventually taking a 63-56 advantage late in the frame.
The final period turned into a nail-biter, with both teams exchanging clutch plays.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Sky Jazul buried a crucial three-pointer with 1:44 left to push Ateneo ahead, 75-73.
Tulabut answered with two free throws to tie the game at 75-all with 52.2 seconds left.
However, Tulabut fouled out with 39.7 seconds remaining, sending Kallos to the line, where he split his free throws to set up Tadeo’s heroics.
David Sabareza and Nick Peña supported Tadeo with 13 points apiece. Tulabut led the Bullpups with 22 points and seven rebounds before fouling out.
Jazul paced Ateneo with 20 points, including four three-pointers, while Q Molina added 15 points, five assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the day’s opening game, Adamson University snapped a two-game losing streak by defeating the winless University of the Philippines Integrated School, 63-58.
Bulaqueño guard Edison Jordan, 14, overcame a rough shooting day to lead the Baby Falcons with 17 points, going 6-of-8 from the free-throw line.
Bukidnon-raised big man Craig Fongtong contributed a dominant 10-point, 16-rebound double-double, while Aurelio Fransman added 10 points as Adamson improved to 3-9.
“Our goal is to finish on a high note. Like sinasabi ko sa kanila, tapusin natin ng maayos. Kung sino ang nandiyan, maglaro ng maayos dahil no tomorrow na after this week,” said Baby Falcons head coach Alex Barrera.
Adamson faces the undefeated UE Junior Warriors on Wednesday and the semis-hopeful DLSZ Junior Archers on Sunday.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UPIS, which fell to 0-13, was led by Bruce Tubongbanua and Jhustin Hallare, both making strong cases for the Mythical Team.
Tubongbanua tallied 21 points, 15 rebounds, four steals, and three blocks in a tireless performance, while Hallare chipped in 20 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists before fouling out late.
The Scores:
First Game
AdU (63) – Jordan E. 17, Fransman 10, Fongtong 10, Alcantara 6, Banate 6, Azurias 6, Ondevilla 4, Tiamzon 2, Jordan A. 2, Ang 0, Tuazon 0.
UPIS (58) – Tubongbanua 21, Hallare 20, Poquiz 8, Gepitan 7, Addatu 2, Rosete 0, Cobico 0, Lugatiman 0, Repane 0.
Quarterscores: 13-7, 25-23, 44-35, 63-58.
Second Game
NUNS (77) – Tulabut 22, Tadeo 18, Sabareza 13, Peña N. 13, Khobuntin 8, Vitug 2, Urea 1, Reroma 0, Qiunto 0, Peña Y. 0.
Ateneo (76) – Jazul 20, Molina 15, Kallos 9, Lacsamana 9, Juangco 8, Ngo 6, Bernarte 4, Dela Rosa 3, Divinagracia 2, Ramos 0, Hwang 0.
Quarterscores: 13-11, 42-34, 63-61, 77-76.
