MANILA -- National University-Nazareth School completed an elimination round sweep of Adamson University, cruising to a dominant 71-49 result on Sunday to remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball tournament.
The Bullpups' win at the FilOil EcoOil Centre hiked their record to 9-0. They have won both of their encounters against the defending champions this season, having beaten the Baby Falcons 73-60 in the first round last February 9.
The result gives the Bullpups a measure of revenge against Adamson, as the Baby Falcons had beaten them in three games to win the Season 86 championship.
"Enough motivation para sa amin ito pero siyempre, hindi pa naman tapos yung season. Thankful lang kami na binigay sa amin yung panalo na ito," said third-year Bullpups head coach Kevin De Castro.
With their ninth win in a row, the Bullpups are assured of at least a playoff for a Final 4 spot.
With reigning Most Valuable Player Collins Akowe leading the way on both ends of the floor, the league leaders stormed to a 10-0 start before building a commanding 42-20 lead by halftime.
Collins Akowe of NU-Nazareth in action against Adamson in the UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball tournament, February 16, 2025 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre. UAAP Media
Determined to make a statement against their former tormentors, NUNS continued to push the pace in the third quarter. Akowe, along with Chad Cartel, Macmac Alfanta, and Kurl Figueroa, helped stretch the lead to a game-high 30 points, 60-30, early in the final frame.
"Sabi ko sa kanila before this game na kung ano yung kailangan i-improve, gawin natin. Last game, we had 27 turnovers, then today 21 lang. Marami pa rin, and we have to improve on that," De Castro added.
Akowe dominated with a monstrous 28-point, 22-rebound double-double in just 31 minutes of action.
Alfanta chipped in 15 points, while Jid Locsin contributed 10 points, four rebounds, four steals, and three assists. Migs Palanca also posted a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The loss dropped Adamson to 4-5, putting it in a tie for fifth with De La Salle-Zobel, which later secured a crucial 73-62 victory over University of the Philippines Integrated School.
"Much-needed win coming after a four-game losing streak. It keeps our Final Four hopes alive. It’s a big win. It’s a team that we should be able to beat if we want to be in the Final Four. Mentally and standing-wise, this win is important for us," said long-time Junior Archers head coach Boris Aldeguer.
Surprisingly trailing 36-35 at halftime against the upset-seeking Maroons, the Junior Archers flipped the script in the third quarter, outscoring UPIS 22-7 to take control of the game.
"UP likes to run-and-gun. We got carried away playing their style. So in the second half, we played deliberate offense, and our defense stepped up," Aldeguer explained.
Bonn Daja, a 17-year-old big man from Davao, led La Salle-Zobel with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, ace winger Kieffer Alas nearly recorded a triple-double with 17 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists.
For Adamson, Mark Esperanza—the league leader in minutes played—logged 37 minutes and tallied 18 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Earl Medina, second in the league in minutes, finished with 15 points and eight rebounds in 36 minutes.
UPIS, meanwhile, dropped to 0-9, pushing them to the brink of elimination. Bruce Tubongbanua led the Maroons with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while lead guard Ethan Egea added 15 points and 10 boards.
The Scores:
NUNS vs Adamson
NUNS 71 - Akowe 28, Alfanta 15, Loscin 10, Palanca 10, Figueroa 4, Matias 2, Pillado 2, Cartel 0, Natinga 0, Usop 0, Solomon 0, Nepacena 0, Napa 0, Casala 0, Bouzina 0.
ADU 49 - Esperanza 18, Medina 15, Sajili 6, Perez 4, Umali 3, Tumaneng 2, Abayon 1, Murillo 0, De Jesus 0, Penafiel 0.
Quarterscores: 20-14, 37-23, 60-33, 71-49.
DLSZ vs UPIS
DLSZ 73 - Daja 23, Alas 17, Gubat 9, Espinosa 7, Dabao 6, Atienza 5, Arejola 2, Favis 2, Borrero 2, Reguera 0, Mben 0, Lopez 0.
UPIS 62 - Tubongbanua 16, Egea 15, Hallare 12, Gomez de Liano 9, Melicor 8, Uvero 2, Poquiz 0, Coronel 0.
Quarterscores: 23-17, 35-36, 57-43, 73-62.