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| c/o UAAP Media Team |
Games Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre
8 a.m. - DLSZ vs UST (girls)
10 a.m. - Ateneo vs UST (boys)
12 p.m. - NU vs UE (boys)
2 p.m. - FEU vs UPIS (boys)
4 p.m. - DLSZ vs AdU (boys)
NATIONAL University Nazareth School became the first team to clinch a Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ Basketball Tournament after dismantling De La Salle Zobel, 86-60, on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Collins Akowe once again led the Bullpups with a dominant double-double of 20 points and 23 rebounds, adding three assists and two blocks to power NUNS to a flawless 10-0 record.
With the victory, the Bullpups secured their 13th straight Final Four appearance—a streak that began in Season 73 back in 2011 when they finished fourth with a 10-4 slate.
“Happy ako kasi nastick na namin yung first slot sa Final Four, pero marami pa kami kailangan i-improve. Sabi ko naman sa kanila coming into this game, ito yung stretch na crucial part nung season natin kasi ito na yung last few games coming into the playoffs and finals. We just have to make momentum and statement coming into the next games and sa Final Four,” said NUNS head coach Kevin de Castro.
Holding a slim 24-18 lead at the 8:06 mark of the second quarter, the trio of Thomas Pillado, Johnkurl Figueroa, and Akowe powered a 16-3 run to give NUNS a commanding 40-21 halftime advantage.
The Bullpups continued to dominate in the final frame, building a game-high 35-point lead, 77-42, before cruising to their 10th straight victory.
With Akowe spearheading the charge, NUNS overwhelmed La Salle Zobel inside, winning the battle in the paint (54-28) and on the boards (46-31).
Ivler Napa, son of Bulldogs head coach Jeff, finished with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting, while Miguel Palanca contributed seven points, five rebounds, one assist, and one block. Jid Locsin added seven points, seven assists, three rebounds, and two steals, with Pillado chipping in seven points, two rebounds, two assists, and one block.
Meanwhile, the Junior Archers’ suffered their fifth loss in six games, dropping to 4-6. Their lone victory in that stretch came against the winless University of the Philippines Integrated School, 73-62, last Sunday.
Defending champion Adamson University and University of the East, both holding 4-5 records, are set to face UPIS and Ateneo de Manila University at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively, as of publishing time.
Kieffer Alas led DLSZ with 18 points, six assists, five rebounds, and two steals, while Cameroonian center Christian Mben nearly recorded 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Bonn Daja added 10 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the losing effort.
In another game, MVP frontrunner Cabs Cabonilas took charge for Far Eastern University-Diliman, leading the Baby Tamaraws to a crucial 67-60 victory over University of Santo Tomas, snapping the Tiger Cubs’ eight-game winning streak.
With the loss, UST dropped to 8-2 -- just a full game ahead of FEU-D.
Cabonilas posted a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds, along with three assists and three steals, as FEU-D avenged its 80-72 first-round loss last February 9.
The Baby Tamaraws capitalized on the absence of UST big man Koji Buenaflor, who was serving a one-game suspension after receiving his second unsportsmanlike foul of the season against UE last Sunday.
“Nasa process kami ng paghahanap ng identity namin. Masaya ako na nanalo kami, pero hindi pa tayo satisfied… Natututo na kami, may maturity na kami. Pagdating ng endgame, ‘yan yung crucial ‘eh. Kung sino yung gusto manalo at kung sino yung mas matured,” said FEU-D head coach Denok Miranda.
With the game tied at 49-all with 7:09 left, Marc Burgos, Khean Esperanza, and Yosef Raneses sparked a 9-3 run to give FEU-D a 58-52 edge with 4:33 remaining.
Charles Bucsit answered with two crucial three-pointers, but the Baby Tamaraws responded each time, with Cabonilas hitting a floater and Mico Pascual draining a triple to keep UST at bay, 63-58, with 3:23 left.
UST had a chance to close the gap with under a minute remaining, but a costly turnover by co-captain Kirk Canete sealed their fate.
Liam Salangsang iced the game with four free throws, securing FEU-D’s seventh win in 10 games.
Raneses provided ample support with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Salangsang struggled (12 points, 2-of-14 shooting) but contributed five rebounds and four assists.
Burgos also recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, along with two assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Senegalese forward Racine Kane led the Tiger Cubs with 15 points and 16 rebounds, adding two assists and two blocks, while Carl Manding came close to a double-double with 13 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.
Canete struggled offensively with just three points but dished out nine assists and grabbed four rebounds.
UST’s shooters Wacky Ludovice (nine points, 3-of-11) and Bucsit (nine points, 3-of-11) were kept in check by FEU-D’s defense.
The Scores:
Second Game (Boys):
NUNS (86) - Akowe 20, Napa 15, Locsin 7, Pillado 7, Palanca 7, Figueroa 6, Cartel 5, Alfanta 4, Nepacena 4, Solomon 4, Bouzina 3, Matias 2, Lucido 2, Natinga 0, Usop 0, Casala 0.
DLSZ (60) - Alas 18, Mben 11, Daja 10, Lopez 6, Gubat 5, Dabao 4, Areola 2, Jo. Alpapara 2, Borrero 2, Atienza 0, Ja. Alpapara 0, Tailan 0, Favis 0, Espinosa 0, Dimayuga 0, Reguera 0.
Quarterscores: 20-14, 40-21, 67-42, 86-60.
Third Game (Boys):
FEU-D (67) - Cabonilas 22, Raneses 13, Salangsang 12, Burgos 11, Esperanza 6, Pascual 3, Gemao 0, Godoy 0, De Guzman 0, Hall 0, Santos 0.
UST (60) - Kane 15, Manding 13, Ludovice 9, Bucsit 9, Acido 6, Solon 5, Canete 3, Esteban 0, Cinco 0.
Quarterscores: 18-16, 36-28, 48-44, 67-60.
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