National University-Nazareth School (NUNS) completed a perfect run in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 junior high school basketball tournament with an 82-72 Game 2 triumph over Far Eastern University-Diliman on Wednesday afternoon at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Bullpups swept all 16 games this season to secure the program’s first 16U basketball championship. NUNS had previously won the inaugural tournament held in Season 86 in 2024 as a demonstration event.

Eager to end their 16U careers with the Bullpups as champions, Malian center Moussa Diakite, Jaypee Yanga, and David Sabareza delivered stellar performances to withstand the Baby Tamaraws’ fourth-quarter comeback attempt.

“It’s really good that our sacrifices paid off. I was left behind for China and Korea so I can prepare this 16U team. The result turned out fine. Even if they always leave me, the important thing is that we won the championship,” NUNS head coach Leo Pujante said.

“Next season will be a challenge because we’re going to lose Moussa. But we’ll still try to defend the crown. We’ll not allow them to take it away from us.”

The 6-foot-1 Sabareza capped his UAAP 16U career in style, earning Finals Most Valuable Player honors after averaging 23.5 points, four rebounds, four assists, and four steals across the two-game championship series.

Diakite finished with 21 points on 10-of-16 shooting, adding 17 rebounds, five blocks, four assists, and three steals, while Yanga contributed 20 points, six rebounds, and one steal.

Sabareza also recorded 17 points, six assists, three rebounds, and three steals, with Dean Tria adding 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

The Bullpups, who had won the opener, 79-49, maintained an 18-point, 63-45 lead early in the fourth quarter. The Baby Tamaraws, however, refused to fold, mounting a 14-3 run, capped by Danjo Desiderio charities and a Dwyne Enriquez midrange jumper, to cut the lead to 66-59 with 5:42 left.

NUNS, however, displayed championship poise when it mattered most, countering with a four-point play by Tria and two free throws by Mark Arzola to complete a pivotal 8-2 run and restore a 13-point, 74-61 advantage with 4:15 remaining.

FEU-D mounted a final push as a triple by Andrei Chavez and two Dwayne Cañete free throws trimmed the lead to 80-72 with 23 seconds left, but Tria sealed NU’s perfect season with perfect free throws to finalize the score.

The Baby Tamaraws improved to a runner-up finish after settling for bronze last year but were unable to solve the Bullpups, losing all four encounters this season.