NATIONAL UNIVERSITY Nazareth School relied on its depth to overcome a slow start, overpowering University of the Philippines Integrated School for a commanding 102-78 win to crack the top four of the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The win marked the Bullpups’ third consecutive victory, allowing them to gain solo fourth place with a 5-4 card while breaking the three-way tie alongside the DLSZ Junior Archers and the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
“Hindi naman tinitignan yung win streak. Sinasabi ko lang sa kanila na we’ll go one game at a time… Nung halftime, inaddress ko sa kanila na we have to stick to the game plan. Kung ano yung at napagusapan at trinabaho natin noong past few days, kailangan i-apply this game,” said NUNS head coach Kevin de Castro.
After a back-and-forth opening affair, NUNS took a comfortable 14-point cushion in the second period but saw it trimmed down to eight points at the half, 50-42, after a late UPIS rally powered by Bruce Tubongbanua and Jhustin Hallare.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Bullpups, however, finally gained control of the game after turning a slim seven-point advantage to a commanding 22-point cushion heading into the payoff period, 78-56, with a 17-2 run to close the third quarter.
NUNS sealed its third straight win and replicated its 94-76 first-round beatdown of UPIS by taking a game-high 26-point lead, 84-58, with less than eight minutes left in the final frame.
“Yung team namin, talagang walang star player. You have to be a superstar in your own role, ‘yon naman prinepreach namin from high school to college para pagdating nila sa senior ranks, talagang sanay na sila sa sistema na gusto namin i-apply,” De Castro added.
David Sabareza powered NUNS with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting to go along with seven steals, five rebounds, and four assists, while Chester Tulabut contributed 21 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Yujin Pena scored 17 points to go along with seven rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Mac Tadeo had a perfect game with 13 points on 6-of-6 shooting with four rebounds, two blocks, and an assist.
NUNS will shoot for its fourth straight win against a formidable opponent in an undefeated University of the East side next Sunday, Nov. 3., at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Tubongbanua’s game-high 31-point, 11-rebound, 4-steal effort, coupled with Hallare’s 29-point, 12-rebound showing went for naught as UPIS remained winless through 10 outings in the eight-team junior high school league.
The star duo lacked help from their teammates as the rest of the Fighting Maroons only contributed 18 points combined.
The Fighting Maroons will have a 18-day break before it returns to competition against La Salle Zobel on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the same UST venue.
The Scores:
NUNS 102 – Sabareza 21, Tulabut 21, Y. Peña 17, Tadeo 13, N. Peña 12, Khobuntin 6, Urea 4, Toring 4, Quinto 3, Vitug 1, Reroma 0, Maranan 0, Gutierrez 0.
UPIS 78 – Tubongbanua 31, Hallare 29, Addatu 10, Poquiz 6, Cobico 2, Gepitan 0, Rosete 0, Repane 0, Manguerra 0, Labao 0, Lugatiman 0, Baldovino 0.
Quarterscores: 25-23, 50-42, 78-56, 102-78.
