Tight defense powers Bullpups

National University Nazareth School (NUNS) limited De La Salle Zobel (DLSZ) to just 15 second-half points en route to a hard-fought 60-50 victory, keeping its perfect start intact with a 2-0 record in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88 boys’ basketball tournament on Wednesday morning at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Trailing 22-35 at halftime, the Bullpups tightened their defensive screws in the second half, holding the Junior Archers to a dismal 5-of-28 shooting for only 15 points, paving the way for the win that cemented their spot on top of the eight-team field.

DLSZ, meanwhile, caught fire early in the first half, shooting efficiently at 15-of-32 from the field but cooled off in the latter stages, finishing the game with 20-of-60 field goal shooting.

Meanwhile, Adamson University relied on a strong second-half performance to overcome the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 71-47, securing its first triumph of the season.

“We were not the same team that played in the first half. Fortunately, we still had a chance to redeem ourselves at halftime. We need to play from first up to fourth quarter for us to win the game,” NUNS head coach Kevin de Castro said.

After Nigerian center Yusuf Mikailu fouled out with 6:03 remaining, the Bullpups quickly capitalized as Shaun Lucido hit a step-through layup, while Malian center Moussa Diakite and Mot Matias scored back-to-back inside buckets to push NUNS ahead 54-48 with 3:54 left.

A floater by Maco Dabao kept DLSZ within reach at 54-50, but Kurl Figueroa, the brother of Season 88 Elite Team member Jake Figueroa, sank a free throw and converted an alley-oop, followed by a dagger three from Lucido to seal the win.

Lucido led NUNS with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal, while Figueroa added 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting, six rebounds, two steals, and one block. Matias contributed eight points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals, and Cartel chipped in five points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal.

In the other game, the Baby Falcons turned a 27-30 halftime deficit into a dominant 24-7 third-quarter run, powered by Mac Jenodia, Jarl Artango and Kieff Iledan, taking a 51-37 lead heading into the final period.

Adamson maintained control in the fourth quarter, with consecutive inside baskets from Jenodia and Artango, plus two free throws by Kevin Frogoso, stretching the lead to 63-42 with 4:40 remaining.

UPIS was limited to just 18-of-53 shooting for the game after hitting 12-of-30 in the first half, while the Baby Falcons finished 28-of-82 from the field.