National University Nazareth School (NUNS) became the first team to clinch a Final Four berth in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 boys’ basketball tournament after dismantling De La Salle Zobel, 86-60, on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Collins Akowe once again led the Bullpups with a dominant double-double of 20 points and 23 rebounds, adding three assists and two blocks to power NUNS to a flawless 10-0 record.

With the victory, the Bullpups secured their 13th straight Final Four appearance — a streak that began in Season 73 back in 2011 when they finished fourth with a 10-4 slate.

“I’m happy that we clinched the first Final Four slot. But we still have a lot to prove,” NUNS coach Kevin Castro said.

“Coming into this game, I told them that this is the crucial stretch in our season because we only have a few games left coming into the playoffs and the finals. We just have to make momentum and make a statement coming into the next games and in the Final Four.”

Holding a slim 24-18 lead at the 8:06 mark of the second quarter, the trio of Thomas Pillado, Johnkurl Figueroa, and Akowe powered a 16-3 run to give NUNS a commanding 40-21 halftime advantage.

The Bullpups continued to dominate in the final frame, building a game-high 35-point lead, 77-42, before cruising to their 10th straight victory.

With Akowe spearheading the charge, NUNS overwhelmed La Salle Zobel inside, winning the battle in the paint (54-28) and on the boards (46-31).

Ivler Napa, son of Bulldogs head coach Jeff, finished with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting, while Miguel Palanca contributed seven points, five rebounds, one assist, and one block. Jid Locsin added seven points, seven assists, three rebounds, and two steals, with Pillado chipping in seven points, two rebounds, two assists and one block.

Meanwhile, the Junior Archers’ suffered their fifth loss in six games, dropping to 4-6. Their lone victory in that stretch came against the winless University of the Philippines Integrated School, 73-62, last Sunday.

Kieffer Alas led DLSZ with 18 points, six assists, five rebounds, and two steals, while Cameroonian center Christian Mben nearly recorded 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Bonn Daja added 10 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the losing effort.

Meanwhile, Most Valuable Player frontrunner Cabs Cabonilas took charge for Far Eastern University-Diliman, leading the Baby Tamaraws to a crucial 67-60 victory over University of Santo Tomas, snapping the Tiger Cubs’ eight-game winning streak.

With the loss, UST dropped to 8-2 — just a full game ahead of FEU-D.

Cabonilas posted a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds, along with three assists and three steals, as FEU-D avenged its 80-72 first-round loss last 9 February.