UAAP: NUNS boys dismiss UPIS to clinch Final 4 berth

Aaron Dalanan of NUNS in action against UPIS in the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ 16-and-under Basketball Tournament on October 29, 2026 at the Blue Eagle Gym. UAAP Media

MANILA — Defending champion National University Nazareth School steamrolled UP Integrated School, 87-42, to clinch the first Final 4 berth in the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ 16-and-under Basketball Tournament on Thursday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

This is the fourth consecutive season that the Bullpups have made the semifinals. They have also won 26 straight games, and are now 10-0 in the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons absorbed their fourth straight loss to fall to seventh place at 3-8.

“It’s good to see na nakalaro kami nang maayos kasi two weeks kaming walang laro at pahinga, pero buti na lang, maganda ‘yung nilaro ng mga bata,” NUNS head coach Leo Pujante said.

After Hubert Bautista converted a layup to cut NUNS’ lead to four, the Bullpups responded with a 12-2 run capped by Andrie Lopez’s triple to establish a 14-point cushion at the end of the opening quarter, 33-19.

UPIS struggled to find its touch in the second quarter before Ryley Floirendo knocked down a corner triple to trim the deficit to 18, 40-22. The basket, however, failed to spark a sustained rally as NUNS maintained its dominance and carried a commanding 47-25 lead into halftime.

The Bullpups continued to impose their will in the second half, with 13 of their 14 players getting on the scoreboard. Dwyane Enriquez finished with 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists while Aaron Dalanan posted a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds to go with three blocks.

Meanwhile, Bautista paced UPIS with 16 points and four rebounds, followed by Zandro Lagutiman, who tallied 10 points, four rebounds, three steals, and three blocks.

Enzo Purugganan of La Salle-Zobel in action against Adamson in the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ 16-and-under Basketball Tournament on October 29, 2026 at the Blue Eagle Gym. UAAP MediaLater in the day, De La Salle-Zobel cruised past Adamson University, 90-60, for its third straight win. They improved to 8-3, boosting their own bid for a Final 4 spot.

DLSZ overcame an early deficit with a dominant finish to the opening quarter, unleashing a 17-1 run capped by Enzo Purugganan’s runner to seize a 30-18 lead. 

The Junior Archers carried their momentum into the second quarter, closing the half with five unanswered points courtesy of Rye Villaruz’s triple and Enzo Montes’ layup to stretch their advantage to 50-31.

That lead stretched to 75-39 heading into the final frame, and despite being outscored by Adamson in the fourth quarter, the Junior Archers’ advantage was too much to overcome.

Purugganan led DLSZ with 21 points, two rebounds, and three triples, while Villaruz recorded a double-double of 18 points and 11 assists. Pierre Santiago and James Enriquez chipped in 10 points apiece.

Meanwhile, Henri Subido paced Adamson with 19 points.

NUNS (87) — Enriquez 17, Dalanan 12, Cano 11, Flores Jr. 8, Arellano 7, Lopez 7, Mayor 6, Genido 6, Macoy 5, Geron 4, Garcia 2, Pangan 2, Tundag 0.

UPIS (42) — Bautista 16, Lugatiman 10, Floirendo 9, Labao 4, David 2, Santos 1, Romey 0, Avendano 0, Sebastian 0, Rico 0, Sarthou 0.

Quarterscores: 33-19, 47-25, 73-33, 87-42.

DLSZ (90) — Purugganan E. 21, Villaruz 18, Noel 10, Santiago 10, Enriquez 9, Mercado 6, Quillo 4, Purugganan I. 3, Dizon 3, Francisco 3, Montes 3, Paceno 0, Stehmeier 0, Tabu 0, Dela Lara 0, Buenafe 0.

AdU (60) — Subido 19, Maycong 15, Espiritu 6, Caintic 6, Chan 5, Sepnio 4, Timtiman 3, Bulan 2, Delos Santos Jr. 0, Sepnio 0, Thompson 0, Cads 0, Gayatin 0.

Quarterscores: 30-18, 50-31, 75-39, 90-60.