David Sabareza delivered a spectacular performance to push National University Nazareth School (NUNS) to the brink of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88 junior high school basketball title after, dominating Far Eastern University-Diliman (FEU-D), 79-49, in Game 1 of the best-of-three finals on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Determined to cap his 16U stint as a champion, Sabareza locked in from the opening tip.
The 16-year-old forward erupted for 26 points in the first half alone, torching FEU-D with 11 in the opening frame before adding 15 more in the second to help the Bullpups build a commanding 47-29 halftime lead.
His offensive outburst came at a perfect time, with Malian center Moussa Diakite struggling early and managing just one point across the first two periods.
“I just told my team to respect the opponent even if we beat them twice. They won’t be in the championship if they are not good,” NUNS head coach Leo Pujante said following the wire-to-wire win that placed them on the doorstep of a 16-game season sweep.
The Bullpups will aim to clinch the crown — and complete the sweep — in Game 2 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena, while the Baby Tamaraws look to extend the series to a do-or-die.
NUNS booked an outright finals berth after a dominant 14-0 sweep of the elimination round, winning by an average margin of 23.42 points. Their closest victory was a 72-68 escape over FEU-D in the second round.
Game 1, however, was never in doubt. The Bullpups imposed their will early, storming to a 22-6 lead behind Sabareza, Ian Manalo, Loin Lalong-isip, Dean Tria and Caleb Liwanag.
They also clamped down defensively on FEU-D’s main weapons. Prince Cariño was limited to nine points on 3-of-6 shooting, adding eight rebounds but committing six turnovers. Dwyne Enriquez finished with just seven points on 3-of-9 shooting and four turnovers.
“I was thinking of becoming a leader inside the court and help my teammates. I told them that they also have to adjust,” said Sabareza, who finished with an all-around gem of 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting, five rebounds, five steals, two assists, and a block.
Tria chipped in nine points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Manalo tallied eight points, five assists, four rebounds, and four steals.
Despite being held to only five points, Diakite still made his presence felt with 15 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and a steal, all while drawing heavy defensive attention from FEU-D.
NUNS also forced the Baby Tamaraws into 31 turnovers, converting those into 26 points. In contrast, the Bullpups kept their own miscues to just 12.
Prince Pineda was the lone Baby Tamaraw in double figures with 13 points and nine rebounds.
FEU-D, which finished third after eliminations, advanced to the Finals after defeating Adamson University in the stepladder quarterfinals, 90-76, and then stunning second-ranked University of Santo Tomas in the semifinals, 82-75.