NATIONAL University Nazareth School seized control in the final period to hold off a resilient Adamson University, securing a 76-64 victory in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The win marked the Bullpups’ second straight victory, allowing them to open the second round on a high note and tie Ateneo for fifth place with identical 4-4 records.
The Blue Eagles also started their second-round campaign strong, defeating the UPIS Fighting Maroons 78-60 yesterday.
“Sinasabi ko lang sa kanila na keep your composure. Talagang basketball is a game of runs. Dito lalabas yung character natin, na hindi tayo papadala doon sa run na ginagawa ng kalaban namin. At least kahit papaano, nakuha ng mga bata yung composure na hinahanap namin,” said Bullpups head coach Kevin de Castro.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
NUNS built a comfortable 12-point lead at halftime, 44-32, but struggled in the third quarter, allowing the Baby Falcons to outscore them 21-11, cutting the lead to just two points, 55-53, heading into the final period.
The Bullpups, however, caught fire at the right time.
Led by Zui Urea, Nick Pena, and Chester Tulabut, they unleashed a 9-2 run that put Adamson in a nine-point hole, 64-55, with less than six minutes remaining.
Despite late baskets from Edison Jordan and Vlex Azurias, NUNS responded with three consecutive layups from Tulabut, a reverse layup from Pena, and an inside shot from David Sabareza, pushing the lead back to 14 points, 74-60, with 1:33 left, sealing the victory.
“First back-to-back wins namin this season. Ang next game namin ay UE. Gagamitin namin ito as springboard papunta doon sa UE sa next game namin. Actually undefeated, mahirap, pero titignan namin,” added De Castro.
Nick Pena led the Bullpups with 21 points, including five three-pointers, while adding seven rebounds, four assists, and a block.
Tulabut contributed 14 points, five assists, four rebounds, two steals, and a block.
Urea orchestrated the offense with 12 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and two steals, while Big Mac Tadeo chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds.
NUNS will aim for their third straight win in a challenging matchup against the undefeated University of the East on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 8 a.m. at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the other hand, Jordan paced Adamson with 21 points, seven rebounds, five steals, four assists, and a block.
Chrys Gomez struggled from the field, shooting 5-of-16, but still managed 13 points, four assists, and three rebounds.
Fongtong came close to a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds, while Keefe Iledan added 10 points and seven assists.
Adamson suffered their second consecutive loss, dropping to 1-7 and remaining in seventh place in the standings.
The Baby Falcons will have a 14-day break before returning to action against Ateneo on Sunday, Oct. 27, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
NUNS (76) – N. Pena 21, Tulabut 14, Urea 12, Tadeo 12, Y. Pena 8, Sabareza 5, Vitug 4, Khobuntin 0, Toring 0, Maranan 0, Gutierrez 0, Quinto 0.
ADU (64) – Jordan 21, Gomez 13, Fongtong 11, Iledan 10, Azurias 5, Fransman 3, Banate 1, Ondevilla 0, Alcantara 0.
Quarterscores: 18-18, 44-32, 55-53, 76-64
