Zaydhen Rosano’s triple-double powered National University Nazareth School to a dominant 95-45 rout of De La Salle Zobel, keeping the Lady Bullpups undefeated in the UAAP Season 88 Girls’ Basketball Tournament on Thursday morning at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Unlike their record-breaking 155-29 demolition of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles last January 11, NUNS overcame a sluggish opening quarter before asserting control in the second period. Rosano, Inday Sales, and Ruiza Olmos spearheaded the surge as the Lady Bullpups rolled to their second straight victory.
Rosano, a second-year guard from Cebu, finished just one steal shy of the league’s second-ever quadruple-double, tallying 18 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds to go along with nine steals. Gilas Youth guard Aubrey Lapasaran provided steady support with 17 points, five rebounds, five steals, and four assists.
With the emphatic win, NUNS moved into a share of first place with the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses in the four-team field, both sporting identical 2-0 records. The result sets up a highly anticipated rematch of the UAAP Season 87 Finals between the Lady Bullpups and UST to close the first round of eliminations on Sunday, February 1, at 4:00 p.m. at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Kita naman natin sa lahat, overall, from rebounding and steals, dumedepensa rin siya at may opensa. ‘Yon yung sinasabi ko kay Zaydhen lagi na kailangan i-control niya yung sarili niya. Less turnovers, and enjoy lang niya yung game,” Lady Bullpups head coach Ai Lebornio said.
“Ang UST, defending champion ‘yan, kaya hindi yan papayag na ibigay samin na ganon-ganon lang. Kailangan from the start, hindi kami magsimula ng flat. Mawala yung excitement at yung gigil, siguro ‘yon yung kailangan mawala pa,” she added.
After a slow start that saw DLSZ within striking distance at 13-12 after the first quarter, NUNS responded with a commanding 24-9 run in the second frame. An Olmos layup and a five-point burst from Rosano capped the surge, giving the Lady Bullpups a 37-21 lead at halftime.
The separation became more pronounced in the third quarter, as NUNS opened with a blistering 14-0 run. A Zia Onate triple, a Zane Singson layup, and another basket from Lapasaran followed, pushing the lead to 72-34 heading into the payoff period.
For the game, the Lady Bullpups shot an efficient 36-of-80 from the field, forced 46 turnovers, and recorded 32 steals, converting DLSZ’s miscues into 48 points.
Singson contributed 11 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists, while Olmos also finished with 11 points and five rebounds. Angelika Agad chipped in nine points and two steals, and Sales matched that output with nine points and two steals of her own.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other side, Ima Navarro led De La Salle Zobel with seven points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists, while Ching Gales added seven points, eight rebounds, two steals, and one assist as the Junior Lady Archers fell to 0-2.
DLSZ looks to close the first round on a positive note when it faces archrival Ateneo this Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The Scores:
NUNS (95) – Rosano 18, Lapasaran 17, Singson 11, Olmos 11, Agad 9, Sales 9, Katigbak 6, Badajos 6, Onate 5, Luzana 2, Biongcog 1, Mallari 0, Arciaga 0, Cordero 0.
DLSZ (45) – Navarro 7, Gales 7, Dulay 6, Martinez 6, Gerona 5, Contreras 4, Padigos 4, Winar 3, Ogario 3, Sanares 0.
Quarterscores: 13-12, 37-21, 72-34, 95-45.
