NUNS impose will in first HS Girls Basketball game post-pandemic

c/o UAAP

NATIONAL University Nazareth School wasted no time establishing its dominance in the UAAP High School Girls' Basketball Tournament, delivering a historic 109-15 victory over Ateneo de Manila University on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Lady Bullpups’ 94-point victory set a new UAAP girls basketball record for the largest winning margin, surpassing the previous mark of 85 points set by University of Santo Tomas in a 112-27 win over Ateneo during Season 82 on January 25, 2020.

“Natutuwa kami sa panalo dahil first-ever UAAP game namin ito,” said Lady Bullpups head coach Camilla Escoto. “Pero yung sa margin, hindi na kasi namin tinitignan yung score. Gusto lang namin magperform and marepresent nang maayos yung school on a big stage.”

NUNS started hot, outscoring Ateneo 40-2 in the opening quarter. The Blue Eagles managed just one field goal in the period, courtesy of Cesca Pangilinan at the 8:03 mark.

By halftime, the Lady Bullpups had extended their lead to 66-8, forcing 40 turnovers and holding Ateneo to just 4-of-10 shooting.

The second half was no different, as NUNS held Ateneo scoreless in the third quarter with a dominant 24-0 run, pushing their lead to an insurmountable 90-8 heading into the final period.

Ateneo scored only three times in the second half, with Tyler Templo contributing a triple and a layup and Pia Lo adding a floater late in the game.

The Lady Bullpups’ inside presence was overwhelming, as they outscored Ateneo 94-4 in the paint. Their defense was equally suffocating, forcing a total of 58 turnovers and racking up 38 steals.

Aubrey Laparasan led NUNS with 20 points, five assists, and five rebounds, while Zaydhen Rosano matched her output with 20 points, adding eight steals, three rebounds, and three assists.

Haikka Aycardo and Ashlyn Abong each scored 12 points, combining for 14 rebounds and six steals. Rebekkah Pascua and Ashley Trinidad chipped in 10 points apiece in a well-rounded team effort.

NUNS will face another test when they take on the De La Salle Zobel Junior Lady Archers next Thursday, January 30, at the same venue.

Pangilinan paced Ateneo with six points—all in the first half—along with five rebounds and the game’s only block. Templo added five points and five rebounds for the Blue Eagles.

Meanwhile, Ateneo will aim to bounce back against the UST Junior Growling Tigresses on Sunday, February 2.

Fifth Game (Girls):

NUNS (109) - Lapasaran 20, Rosano 20, Aycardo 12, Abong 12, Pascua 10, Trinidad 10, Katigbak 8, Sales 6, Avila 6, Bretania 3, Badajos 2.

Ateneo (15) - Pangilinan 2, Templo 5, Burdeos 2, Lo 2, Exconde 0, Linaza 0, Gozum 0, Molina 0, Bacayo 0, Bernardo 0, Doque 0, Cacanindin 0, Lee 0.

Quarterscores: 40-2, 66-8, 90-8, 109-15.