National University Nazareth School (NUNS) seized the solo lead in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 boys’ 16U basketball tournament after edging erstwhile unbeaten De La Salle Zobel (DLSZ), 92-88, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bullpups improved to 3-0, moving ahead of the Junior Archers, who dropped to 2-1, while the Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws remained at 2-0. NUNS also extended its winning streak to 19 games, dating back to its championship run in Season 88 last year.

Despite the victory, the defending champions’ performance left head coach Leo Pujante frustrated, as he stressed the importance of maintaining consistent effort throughout the game.

“We couldn’t afford to relax,” Pujante said. 

“The game doesn't end in the first half, in the first two quarters, because there are still the third and fourth. That's why we needed to start strong in the third. That's actually what I said, right? Start strong in the third quarter. Turns out it was the other team that started strong.”

The Junior Archers, who opened the season with two straight wins following a winless campaign last year, faced their toughest challenge of the tournament against the defending champions.

The Bullpups came out firing, building a 25-point lead at 46-21 after Chandler Cano converted a layup with 4:28 remaining in the second quarter.

DLSZ responded emphatically in the third period. Fonzie Mercado, Andrei Francisco, Ice Purugganan and David Dizon spearheaded the comeback, helping the Junior Archers pull even at 57-all midway through the quarter.

NUNS regained control in the fourth, with Jesse Arellano, Arnold Flores, Elijah Javier, Dwyane Enriquez, and Aaron Dalanan combining to give the Bullpups an 82-67 advantage with 5:12 left in the game.

The Junior Archers refused to go quietly, however, as Ice Purugganan, Mercado, Enzo Purugganan, Rye Villarruz and James Enriquez trimmed the deficit to 84-82 with 2:27 remaining.

Flores, Andrie Lopez and Arellano then delivered the decisive blows, joining forces in a 7-0 run that pushed NUNS ahead, 91-82, with 1:30 left and effectively sealed the victory.

Although the Bullpups remain unbeaten, Pujante said his team is determined to prove that it can defend its title even without last season’s standout Moussa Diakite.

“Of course, last year was different, we had Moussa Diakite. This year we have to prove that we didn't become champions just because of Moussa,” Pujante said.

The seasoned coach also lauded Arellano, a rookie from Antipolo City, who led NUNS with 26 points, 18 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.