UAAP: Bullpups near elims sweep after beating Baby Tamaraws

MANILA — National University Nazareth School is one step closer to an elimination round sweep in the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ 16-and-under Basketball Tournament.

This, after the Bullpups claimed a 75-67 win over Far Eastern University-Diliman, Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Bullpups improved to 12-0, and have now won 28 consecutive games dating to last season. They also completed an elimination round sweep of the Baby Tamaraws, whom they defeated for the Season 88 championship.

“Di po pwede talaga mag-relax kasi hindi pa naman champion eh. Kung manalo o matalo kami, wala naman kwenta yun eh,” said RJ Mayor, who started in place of Dwyane Wade Enriquez, who was under the weather and saw limited minutes.

“Kumbaga mag-celebrate lang kami kapag tapos na yung liga, matalo, matalo, stay composed lang kami,” Mayor added.

After the Baby Tams took an early 9-7 lead in the first quarter, the Bullpups responded with a 15-4 run to close the period ahead, 22-13.

From there, NUNS asserted its dominance in the paint to maintain control of the game, stretching its advantage to as many as 14 points, 54-40, in the third quarter.

Although FEU-D managed to cut the deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter, the Bullpups’ dominance inside on both ends of the floor proved decisive.

Mayor led NUNS with 15 points, while Aaron Dalanan recorded a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds. Andrie Lopez and Martin Macoy chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Despite scoring just eight points, Jesse Arellano made his presence felt with 19 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and two blocks.

The Bullpups will next face the already-eliminated Ateneo Blue Eagles in their penultimate elimination-round game on September 14 at the same venue.

FEU-D, on the other hand, remained in second place at 9-3, holding a half-game lead over third-running De La Salle Zobel.

Hisham Mampao paced the Baby Tams with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Nicus Calma and Bernard Alsola added 12 points apiece.

Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas kept its flickering Final Four hopes alive after stunning De La Salle Zobel, 98-91, to snap a two-game losing streak.

The victory brought the Tiger Cubs back to the win column and kept their postseason aspirations alive, although their fate remains out of their hands.

UST needs to beat the University of the Philippines Integrated School in its final game and hope that the University of the East loses both of its remaining assignments to force a playoff for the last semifinal berth.

After a series of late-game collapses, head coach Noli Mejos expressed his gratitude to his players for staying composed and fighting through the final quarter.

“Kailangan namin tapusin ‘tong season nang maayos. Last game namin against UP, same pa rin, wala kaming pinagbabago kahit sa training,” he said.

UST came out firing, building a 31-18 first-quarter advantage behind a strong offensive showing from Mac Macasarte.

The Junior Archers, however, responded in the second period, with Fonzie Mercado catching fire from beyond the arc to cut the deficit to eight, 54-46, at halftime.

Undeterred by La Salle’s resurgence, the Tiger Cubs regained control after the break, with Miguel Austria helping fuel their offense as UST extended its lead to as many as 21 points, 93-72.

DLSZ mounted one final rally, cutting the deficit back to single digits, but the Tiger Cubs had built enough of a cushion to hold on for the crucial victory.

Macasarte spearheaded UST with 27 points, four rebounds, three blocks, and two steals, while Austria delivered a monster double-double of 17 points and 21 rebounds in a full 40-minute outing.

Eldon Eusebio added 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals, while Wayne Anggot and Nicolai Cabañero contributed 11 points apiece.

All 10 Tiger Cubs who saw action scored at least two points.

UST will close out its elimination-round campaign against UPIS on September 17 at the DLSZ Sports Pavilion.

DLSZ, meanwhile, dropped to 9-4 but remained in third place behind the Baby Tamaraws.

UST (98) — Macasarte 27, Austria 17, Eusebio 14, Anggot 11, Cabañero 11, Cuello 6, Umbaña 6, Bathan 2, Collado 2, Abototo 2.

DLSZ (91) — Mercado 32, E. Purugganan 20, I. Purugganan 11, Enriquez 10, Dizon 9, Noel 5, Villaruz 4, Paceno 0, Montes 0, Quillo 0, Francisco 0.

Quarterscores: 31-18, 54-46, 85-67, 98-91.

NUNS (75) — Mayor 15, Dalanan 14, Lopez 11, Macoy 10, Arellano 8, Cano 8, Enriquez 6, Genido 3, Flores 0.

FEU-D (67) — Mampao 16, Calma 12, Alsola 12, Isip 10, Barlan 9, Ira 6, Cruz 0, Madrigal 0, Samonte 0, Vale 0, Castro 0, Garcia 0.

Quarterscores: 22-13, 39-30, 57-45, 75-67.