NUNS crushes Ateneo by 126

National University Nazareth School (NUNS) wasted no time in making history in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 girls’ basketball tournament as it opened its redemption campaign with a record-breaking 155-29 demolition of Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

The 126-point rout marked the largest winning margin in UAAP girls’ basketball history, as the Lady Bullpups erased the previous mark of 124 points set by defending champion University of Santo Tomas against the same opponent on 16 February last year via a 170-46 win.

Determined to bounce back from a runner-up finish in Season 87, NUNS immediately set the tone for its title bid, with Inday Sales and Aubrey Lapasaran spearheading the dominant showing against the Blue Eagles.

Sales paced a balanced attack that saw 10 Lady Bullpups score in double figures, finishing with 19 points, six assists, three rebounds and one steal.

Lapasaran added 15 points, eight steals, four assists, and three rebounds as NUNS handed new head coach Ai Lebornio a winning debut at the UAAP girls’ basketball level.

Lebornio previously handled the University of the East women’s basketball team before taking over the Lady Bullpups program from former head coach Camilla Escoto.

The Lady Bullpups asserted their dominance early, erupting for a 37-4 opening quarter before leaning on baskets from Zane Singson, Zaydhen Rosano, and Lapasaran to build a massive 80-10 lead at halftime.

Through the first 20 minutes, Ateneo was held to just 10 points on 5-of-21 shooting and committed 33 turnovers, allowing NUNS to dictate the pace from start to finish.

NUNS continued to capitalize on the Blue Eagles’ struggles, with Angelika Agad and Rhys Luzana finding their range from beyond the arc to stretch the lead to 117-14 heading into the payoff period and effectively seal the wire-to-wire victory.