NU-Nazareth opens title defense

Games on Wednesday at the Filoil-Ecooil Centre
9:00 a.m. - FEU-D vs UE
11:00 a.m. - DLSZ vs Adamson
2:00 p.m. - UST vs NSNU
4:00 p.m. - Ateneo vs UPIS

Nazareth School of National University opened its title defense with a come-from-behind 79-76 victory over Adamson to close out opening day action at the UAAP Season 85 high school boys basketball tournament on Sunday afternoon at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Staring at a 59-70 deficit, the Bullpups uncorked a comeback to reduce that to 70-72 with 3:08 remaining in the fourth.

Justine Garcia would try to stem the bid with a bucket for the Baby Falcons, but RJ Colonia nailed one of his own and a Reinhard Jumamoy triple gave NSNU the lead at 75-74 with 2:16 left.

Garcia would retake the lead for Adamson, but the defending champions would reclaim it by scoring the last four points of the game.

Head coach Kevin de Castro shared post-match, "Credit sa mga boys kasi down kami, talagang tiniyaga nila. Ang sama nung first half namin, after this game celebrate kami and then bukas, back to the drawing board."

The win extends their winning streak to 28 games, which dates back to Season 81.

Jumamoy finished with nineteen points, eight rebounds, five assists, and six steals to lead the Bullpups, with Colonia adding fourteen points, six rebounds, and six assists. Aga Clarito contributed a double-double with twelve points and ten rebounds, while Macmac Alfanta netted eleven markers and six boards.

Garcia paced Adamson with seventeen points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Carlo Bonzalida contributed a near double-double with fourteen markers and nine boards.

In the earlier afternoon matchup, Far Eastern University-Diliman thrashed Ateneo, 85-50.

The Baby Tamaraws raced to an early 26-11 lead after the first quarter and never looked back, with John Rey Pasaol leading the way to finish with fourteen points, six assists, and four steals.

Head coach Allan Albano shared afterwards, "Talo kami noong last game namin (last Season 82). Masaya 'yung first game na panalo, yun naman yung sinabi ko sa kanila importante yung first game para makuha namin yung confidence namin."

Second-generation ballers Liam Salangsang and Dwyne Miranda combined for 26 points, with the latter adding seven rebounds and six dimes. Kirby Mongcopa chimed in with thirteen points, five rebounds, and three blocks.

Lebron Nieto led the Eaglets with eight points, but shot 2/12 from the field to signify their struggles.

Third Game:

FEU 85 -- Pasaol 14, Salangsang 14, Mongcopa 13, Miranda 12, Cabonilas 8, Pascual 5, Pre 5, Daa 5, Cabigting 3, Bautista 2, Maierhofer 2, Felipe 2, Burgos 0, Herbito 0, Baricaua 0, Castillejos 0.

Ateneo 50 -- Nieto 8, Salandanan 7, Delos Santos 6, Arada 5, De Guzman 4, Porter 4, Prado 3, Ebdane 2, Adevoso 2, Asistio 2, Santiago 2, Aguirre 2, Tupas 2, Fidel 1, Domangcas 0.

Quarterscores: 26-11, 44-28, 65-37, 85-50.

Fourth Game:

NSNU 79 -- Jumamoy 19, Colonia 14, Clarito 12, Alfanta 11, Herrera 10, Timbang 5, Tagotongan 3, Yusi 3, Perciano 2, Solomon 0, Usop 0.

Adamson 76 -- Garcia 17, Bonzalida 14, Sajili 10, Reyes 9, Medina 9, Rosillo 7, Edding 3, Carillo 3, Mepaña 2, Culdura 2, Abayon 0, De Jesus 0, Perez 0.

Quarterscores: 12-17, 38-45, 49-61, 79-76.