Rosano, NUNS roar past Zobel

Zaydhen Rosano’s triple-double powered National University Nazareth School (NUNS) to a dominant 95-45 rout of De La Salle Zobel (DLSZ) to keep them undefeated in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 girls’ basketball tournament on Thursday morning at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Unlike their record-breaking 155-29 demolition of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles last 11 January, NUNS overcame a sluggish opening quarter before asserting control in the second period.

Rosano, Inday Sales and Ruiza Olmos spearheaded the surge as the Lady Bullpups rolled to their second straight victory.

A second-year guard from Cebu, Rosano finished just one steal shy of the league’s second-ever quadruple-double, tallying 18 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds to go along with nine steals. Gilas Youth guard Aubrey Lapasaran provided steady support with 17 points, five rebounds, five steals, and four assists.

With the emphatic win, NUNS moved into a share of first place with University of Santo Tomas (UST) in the four-team field, both sporting identical 2-0 records. The result sets up a highly anticipated rematch of the Season 87 finals between the Lady Bullpups and the Junior Tigresses to close the first round of eliminations on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

After a slow start that saw DLSZ within striking distance at 13-12 after the first quarter, NUNS responded with a commanding 24-9 run in the second frame. An Olmos layup and a five-point burst from Rosano capped the surge, giving the Lady Bullpups a 37-21 lead at halftime.

The separation became more pronounced in the third quarter as NUNS opened with a blistering 14-0 run. A Zia Onate triple, a Zane Singson layup, and another basket from Lapasaran followed, pushing the lead to 72-34 heading into the payoff period.

For the game, the Lady Bullpups shot an efficient 36-of-80 from the field, forced 46 turnovers, and recorded 32 steals, converting DLSZ’s miscues into 48 points.

Singson contributed 11 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists, while Olmos also finished with 11 points and five rebounds. Angelika Agad chipped in nine points and two steals, and Sales matched that output with nine points and two steals of her own.