Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

AdU

UAAP Juniors Basketball: Nick Pena’s hot shooting propels NUNS past gritty Adamson


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.

UAAP-87-Jrs-Adu-vs.NUNS-Chester-Tulabut-7137 UAAP Juniors Basketball: Nick Pena's hot shooting propels NUNS past gritty Adamson AdU Basketball News NU UAAP  - philippine sports news

(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.

#ReadMore  MPL PH: Echo escapes Omega for, extends win streak to 6

“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.

UAAP-87-Jrs-Adu-vs.NUNS-Khyian-Jordan-6889 UAAP Juniors Basketball: Nick Pena's hot shooting propels NUNS past gritty Adamson AdU Basketball News NU UAAP  - philippine sports news

(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.

#ReadMore  'Loyal' Wello Lingolingo emerges as UE's cornerstone

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

Written By

A dreamer from Marikina, a reporter on the sidelines


You May Also Like

ADMU

Far Eastern University booked a ticket to the Final Four with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season...

Football

University of the East kept its Final Four aspirations alive after a dramatic 3-3 draw with fourth-running University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP...

ADMU

University of Santo Tomas asserted its dominance in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s and Women’s Table Tennis Tournament, sweeping the first round to solidify...

AdU

Macky Tobias delivered the decisive goal as University of the Philippines edged Adamson University, 1-0, to clinch a Final Four berth the UAAP Season...

ADMU

CAPAS, Tarlac – ATENEO de Manila University etched another milestone in UAAP swimming as the Blue Eagles clinched their ninth consecutive men’s division championship...

ADMU

CAPAS, Tarlac – For the fourth consecutive season, University of Santo Tomas secured a double championship, clinching both the boys’ and girls’ titles at...

ADMU

CAPAS, Tarlac – Russel Ricaforte brought pride to event sub-host Ateneo de Manila University with a record-smashing throw in the men’s discus throw on...

Basketball

Harold Alarcon may be hitting his stride for University of the Philippines just in time for the Final Four of the UAAP Season 87...

Advertisement