NUNS claim inaugural UAAP JHS Boys title

c/o UAAP

National University Nazareth School capped off the inaugural edition of the UAAP Season 86 Junior High School Basketball Tournament in style on Saturday afternoon at the Amoranto Arena.

Rob Celiz knocks down a buzzer-beating corner triple to clinch the championship for the Bullpups over Far Eastern University-Diliman, 68-67.

With 1.7 seconds remaining, Mot Matias found Celiz free off an elevator action in the baseline, and the latter got off the attempt over the outstretched arms of Jharred Gutierrez, to the combined delight and agony of everyone in attendance at the packed Quezon City venue.

The second-generation Bulldog shared afterwards, "Sabi ko, babawi talaga ako. Wala akong masabi, babawi talaga ako at buti na lang na-shoot."

Head coach Kevin de Castro says about his ward, "Wala akong masabi sa kanya. Sabi ko sa kanya, bibigay ko yung bola sa kanya. Kahit nagkamali siya nung 26 seconds, sa kanya pa rin yung final play." He adds, "Pagka-shoot, napaluhod nga ako."

Celiz would be named as the Finals MVP for his clutch heroics, as aside from that title-clincher, he took over the final period, scoring eleven of his fourteen points in the final period, while adding six rebounds.

De Castro finally secures an elusive title for the Bullpups, after falling short in the finals in the UAAP High School Basketball Tournaments in the last couple of seasons.

He says about finally getting this moment, "Sobrang saya. Yung game talagang hard-fought. Eto yung dini-dream nila, yung game-winning shots."

NUNS needed a strong final burst to eke out the victory. The Bullpups trailed 59-45 midway into the fourth, with the trio of Shaun Lucido, Matias, and Celiz anchoring the comeback to tie things up at 65 with 64 seconds left.

The Baby Tamaraws believed they had it after JB Carunungan nailing a long fadeaway to retake the lead at 67-65, setting the scene for the dramatic ending.

Named afterwards as the league's Most Valuable Player, Lucido finished with 24 points, four rebounds, and three steals to lead the way for NUNS, while Matias added thirteen points, four rebounds, and four steals.

Shaun, who is from Bicol, says afterwards, "Pagpasok ko pa lang sa NU, nasa isip ko na kailangan ko mapa-champion ang school na ito at makilala ako dito sa Manila. Talagang pinagtrabahuan ko po ito since Day 1."

Travis Pascual led FEU-Diliman with thirteen points, while Pat Pasinos added a near-double-double with eleven points and nine rebounds.

Gutierrez, Mark Dulin, and Cagurungan each added eight points for the Mark Isip-coached side.

Joining Lucido and Matias in the inaugural Mythical Team are Lorenz Cinco of UST, Ken Atienza of La Salle-Zobel, and Alfonso Tan of Ateneo.

Earlier, the third place game saw the University of the East defeat the University of Santo Tomas, 90-81.

The Scores:

Final:

NUNS 68 - Lucido 24, Celiz 14, Matias 13, Vitug 6, Sison 4, Tulabut 4, Mejia 0, Sundiang 0, Tolentino 0, Callueng 0, Quinto 0.

FEU-D 67 - Pascual 13, Pasinos 11, Gutierrez 8, Dulin 8, Cagurungan 8, Dagcutan 6, Carino 6, Chua 3, Lopez 2.

Quarterscores: 22-20, 29-32, 43-51,  68-67

Bronze medal match:

UE 90 - Abellar 20, Aguas 15, Roquid 11, Mesina 11, Dahino 10, Bual 8, Garcia 7, Bungar 4, Oraa 2, Ferreros 2, Cadorna 0, Dalosa 0.

UST 81 - Sy 22, Cinco 14, Cabanero 14, Castro 11, Bohol 8, Knowles 5, Valenzona 4, Guerrero 3, Bathan 0, Siguan 0, Dela Cruz 0, De Castro 0.

Quarterscores: 23-16, 46-33, 70-60, 90-81.