Bullpups bag 5th straight win

National University Nazareth School (NUNS) extended its unbeaten streak to five games after demolishing the struggling University of the Philippines Integrated School, 90-34, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 87 high school boys’ basketball tournament on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Collins Akowe led the Bullpups’ charge with his fifth double-double in as many games, recording 21 points, 16 rebounds, and three assists while Mac Alfanta provided solid support with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting on top of two rebounds, two steals and one assist in the dominant 56-point victory.

The Akowe-Alfanta duo has been instrumental in NUNS’ unbeaten run, steering the Bullpups to a flawless 6-0 record.

They now brace for two crucial matchups against fellow contender University of the East and defending champion Adamson University to close their first-round campaign.

“I told them that we don’t have to be complacent,” NUNS head coach Kevin de Castro said.

“We don’t want to relax even if the first round is already over. We have to make a statement because our next game is against UE (University of the East), one of the contenders, then our last game will be against the defending champions. We want to have a good springboard.”

Meanwhile, Mark Esperanza propelled defending champion Adamson University to a hard-fought 56-52 victory over Ateneo de Manila University to snap a two-game skid.

Esperanza, a 5-foot-11 Gilas Youth guard, flirted with a triple-double, tallying 25 points on 10-of-21 shooting, 14 rebounds, nine assists (all in the first half), and five steals.

The victory ended the Baby Falcons’ two-game losing streak — one that included setbacks against contenders University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle Zobel — improving their record to 2-3 for sixth place.

“It’s a hard-earned victory for us. Hats off din sa Ateneo, they played well. But in the end, what happened were the breaks of the game. We were able to capitalize on that and arrest our skid,” Adamson coach Mike Fermin said.

“Hopefully, this (run) will continue).”

A floater from Esperanza and a three-pointer from Javi Artango gave the Baby Falcons an eight-point cushion.

However, Ateneo fought back with consecutive triples from Renzo Gatmaitan and Chris Urbina, trimming the deficit to 53-51 with 6:18 remaining.

Down the stretch, Adamson held its ground with clutch free throws and crucial defensive stops.

With 1:58 left, Esperanza and Ziv Espinas exchanged free throws, setting the score at 54-52. Ateneo had chances to tie or take the lead, but Jay-M Leal missed two crucial inside shots, the latter blocked by Earl Medina.

Despite a 24-second shot clock violation by Adamson, the Blue Eagles failed to capitalize, with Leal and Espinas missing layups and Gatmaitan misfiring on a potential go-ahead three-pointer with less than 10 seconds left.