Quezon: National University Nazareth School (NUNS) kept its immaculate record after whipping defending champion University of the East (UE), 83-64, Saturday in the UAAP Season 88 boys’ basketball at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. The Bullpups moved to within a win of sweeping the eliminations and earning an outright finals berth.
According to Philippines News Agency, in another match, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) defeated Ateneo de Manila University, 100-81, to secure a semifinal slot. Mousa Diakite led NUNS with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks. He collaborated with Mark Arzola, Dean Tria, and David Sabareza during a decisive 14-0 run, giving NUNS a 59-38 lead with six minutes remaining.
The Bullpups achieved their biggest lead at 81-50 with Jaypee Yanga’s basket three minutes later. “If we ever get a sweep, it’ll be two weeks. Our last game is Nov. 23. Game 1 is probably Dec. 10 — that’s a long way off. We’ll look for tune-up games,” NUNS coach Leo Pujante said after the match. “The kids’ morale is really high right now. They’re on a high morale, that’s all I can say. That’s why the break is our problem.”
Arzola added 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Yanga had 12 points and four rebounds. UE, currently in fourth place at 7-6, was led by Zion Aguilar with 19 points, two assists, and two steals. Goodluck Okebata contributed 13 points, six rebounds, and two assists, while Mark Perdigon added 10 points, four rebounds, and four steals.
The second-running UST Tiger Cubs achieved their third consecutive win, advancing to a 9-3 record. CJ Tabbuga scored 27 points and secured eight rebounds, while Gab Castro contributed 18 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. Dave Regala and Wayne Anggot each scored 13 points, followed by Rowie Caba±ero with 10 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds.
“This is good preparation for our next game because our last two games were crucial. I’m happy because they showed what we prepared for. Their game came out, we prepared (and) the reaction to today’s game was positive,” UST coach Noli Mejos said. Migo Yoro scored 13 points for Ateneo, followed by Domeng Ngo and JD Juangco with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Ateneo holds a 2-9 record, placing them in sixth.
