National University Nazareth School (NUNS) raised its intensity in the second half to drub defending champion University of the East (UE), 83-64, and extend its perfect run to 13 in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88 junior high school basketball tournament on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bullpups are now just one win away from an elimination-round sweep, which would give them an outright berth to the best-of-three finals.

Earlier, University of Santo Tomas dismantled Ateneo de Manila University, 100-81, in wire-to-wire fashion to improve its record to 9-3, taking solo second via a half-game lead over idle Far Eastern University-Diliman and a Final Four spot following NUNS’s victory.

From a 45-38 lead early in the third quarter, Mark Arzola, Moussa Diakite, Dean Tria and David Sabareza combined for a 14-0 run, building a 59-38 cushion for the Bullpups with 6:02 remaining in the period.

That third-quarter surge proved insurmountable, as the Bullpups eventually led by as much as 81-50 with 3:51 left, capped by Jaypee Yanga’s jumper.

As the prospect of a finals ticket draws nearer, NUNS coach Leo Pujante is eager to keep his players sharp despite long breaks.

“Two weeks will be too long if ever we sweep the eliminations,” Pujante said. 

“Our last game will be on November 23 while Game 1 of the finals will be on December 10. It’s still too far. We will look for tunep matches to stay sharp.”

Diakite led the Bullpups with 24 points and 11 rebounds, followed by Arzola’s 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

Yanga, who did not play in the first half, went 6-of-6 from the field to finish with 12 points and four rebounds.

NUNS’ depth proved key against UE, contributing 43 bench points compared to the Junior Warriors’ 11. The Bullpups also dominated inside, posting 58 points in the paint to UE’s 34.

Meanwhile, the Tiger Cubs continued their strong run with back-to-back wins, starting hot against the Blue Eagles and building a 43-23 lead at the 6:07 mark of the second quarter, thanks to baskets from Wayne Anggot, Miguel Jubilado, CJ Tabbuga, Hanns Villacarlos, Dave Regala, Dats Datu and Rowie Cabañero.

UST maintained control in the second half, stretching the lead to a peak of 76-52 with 2:09 left in the third quarter on a Tabbuga layup assisted by Cabañero.