Manila: National University Nazareth School drubbed University of Santos, 85-63, Wednesday to stay perfect in the UAAP Season 88 boys’ basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila. Dean Tria led the charge for NUNS with an impressive performance, scoring 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting, alongside four assists, three steals, two rebounds, and a block, propelling the team to the top of the standings alongside Adamson University, both maintaining a 3-0 record.
According to Philippines News Agency, David Sabareza contributed significantly with 13 points, seven assists, seven steals, and six rebounds. Nick Pe±a added 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Jaypee Yanga scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds. The Bullpups established a commanding 49-24 lead by halftime, demonstrating their dominance on the court.
NUNS head coach Leo Pujante expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “This is a big boost to the morale of the kids because those are the contenders. We’ve already beaten the three contenders –UE (University of the East), FEU (Far Eastern University), then UST (University of Santo Tomas). We just have to keep our feet on the ground.”
Ian Manalo and Jehove Gatumbato each added seven points, while Malian center Moussa Diakite contributed six points, eight rebounds, and four blocks. The Bullpups further extended their lead to 79-42 going into the final quarter, solidifying their unbeaten run.
Dats Datu was the standout for the Tiger Cubs with 16 points and five rebounds, followed by CJ Tabbuga, who added nine points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and two assists. UST fell to second place with a 2-1 record, joining UE and FEU, who defeated De La Salle Zobel, 80-65, in another matchup.
In the FEU victory, Prince Cari±o scored 23 points and pulled down 19 rebounds, helping the Baby Tamaraws rebound from their recent defeat to the Bullpups. Dwyne Enriquez contributed 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Prince Pineda secured a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
FEU-D head coach Muriel Garcia encouraged his players to focus on future games, saying, “I told the players to move forward and forget about NUNS and learn how we lost the game. I told them to focus on the next game and be a man –not a boy — be a man because we are heading into the next level.”
Lorenzo Purugganan led De La Salle Zobel with 21 points, but the team remains winless at 0-3, alongside University of the Philippines Integrated School and Ateneo de Manila University.