Action between the NU-Nazareth Bullpups and the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball tournament, January 26, 2025 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. UAAP Media
MANILA -- National University-Nazareth School emerged triumphant in a showdown of unbeaten teams on Sunday, overpowering Far Eastern University-Diliman, 75-58, to maintain its perfect record in the UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball tournament.
The Bullpups improved to 3-0 with their latest win at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, keeping their hold on the top spot on the league standings. They are also the only remaining undefeated squad in the league.
After a commanding 39-25 halftime advantage, the Bullpups never looked back, securing their third consecutive win while handing the Baby Tamaraws their first loss of the season.
Through their three-game streak, NUNS holds an impressive average winning margin of 16.6 points.
"Medyo masaya kasi nakuha namin yung panalo, pero marami pa rin talaga room for improvement. Mahaba pa yung season, third win pa lang namin pero marami pa need matutunan. Pero after this game, we’re very happy naman dahil nasunod yung game plan," said Bullpups head coach Kevin de Castro.
The Baby Tamaraws made a push in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to within 12 points after a free throw by Sam Hall.
However, the Bullpups responded quickly with a 10-4 run, entering the fourth quarter with a commanding 57-39 lead.
That run gave NUNS the breathing room they needed, and they held off any further comeback attempts by FEU-D, finishing with a 19-18 fourth quarter performance to extend their winning streak to three games.
The loss was made even more bitter for the Baby Tamaraws after a disqualifying foul was called on Xyrus Gemao following an altercation with Alnhumaeri Usop with 17.3 seconds left in the game.
Reigning MVP Collins Akowe led the charge for the Bullpups with 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting, along with 10 rebounds, two blocks, and one steal while Macmac Alfanta added 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
After convincing victories over the Baby Falcons and the Blue Eagles in their first two games, the Baby Tamaraws suffered their first loss of the season.
Gilas Youth member Cabs Cabonilas was limited to 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting, alongside eight rebounds, two steals, and one assist.
The UST Tiger Cubs during their game against the Adamson Baby Falcons in the UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball tournament, January 26, 2025 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. UAAP Media
Earlier, University of Santo Tomas overcame a third-quarter rally from reigning champion Adamson University, securing an 84-68 win for their second consecutive victory.
The Baby Falcons cut a 19-point deficit to just 56-54 heading into the final period, but the Tiger Cubs relied on Senegalese forward Racine Kane, graduating forward Charles Bucsit, and Gilas Pilipinas Boys member Charles Esteban to dominate the fourth quarter with a 28-14 run to seal the win.
"Sabi ko sa kanila, magr-run 'yan, babalik 'yan dahil champion team yan. Hindi yan papayag matalo ng basta-basta. I just reminded them in the third quarter na kahit makabalik sila, we have to make our own run. And buti nakarespond naman kami nung fourth," said UST head coach Manu Iñigo.
A layup by Zahir Sajili kept Adamson within four points early in the fourth quarter, at 60-56, but Bucsit and Kane combined to stretch the lead to 75-61 with 3:19 remaining.
Despite a five-point spurt from Sajili and CJ Umali, the Tiger Cubs held firm. Esteban’s back-to-back layups sealed the game for UST, extending their lead to 81-68 with 1:21 left.
Kane continued his stellar play with 19 points, 12 rebounds, five steals, one assist, and one block.
Bucsit poured in 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, adding five rebounds and four assists while Esteban contributed 14 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.
With losses to FEU-D and UST, Adamson's title defense has started shakily, as it dropped to sixth place with a 1-2 record.
Esperanza led the Baby Falcons in their second loss with 16 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and two steals.
Earl Medina added 12 points, six rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and one steal, while Umali chipped in 12 points with four rebounds and two steals. Sajili finished with 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
The scores:
Third Game (Boys):
UST (84) - Kane 19, Bucsit 18, Esteban 14, Canete 7, Manding 7, Acido 7, Buenaflor 6, Ludovice 3, Bandingan 3, Cinco 0, Solon 0, Catalan 0, Bohol 0.
AdU (68) - Esperanza 16, Medina 12, Umali 12, Sajili 11, Artango 4, Murillo 4, Abayon 4, De Jesus 4, Perez 1, Jenodia 0, Garcia 0, Matilliano 0.
Quarterscores: 19-5, 37-25, 56-54, 84-68.
Fourth Game (Boys):
NUNS (75) - Akowe 19, Alfanta 10, Cartel 9, Nepacena 8, Usop 8, Palanca 6, Solomon 5, Locsin 4, Napa 3, Lucido 2, Bouzina 1, Matias 0, Figueroa 0, Casala 0, Natinga 0.
FEU-D (58) - Cabonilas 11, Raneses 10, Gemao 9, Pascual 8, Salangsang 8, Hall 5, Burgos 4, Castillejos 2, De Guzman 1, Maierhofer 0, Santos 0, Cagurungan 0.
Quarterscores: 25-13, 39-25, 57-39, 75-58.