NUNS downs UST to move a win away from UAAP HS hoops title

National University Nazareth School took down University of Santo Tomas, 77-70, in Game 1 of the UAAP juniors basketball tournament on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre to move a win away from the title.

The Bullpups were leading 63-62 by the end of the third period before they limited the Tiger Cubs to just eight points in the final frame against their 14-point output.

Collins Akowe led NU with 24 points and 22 rebounds, while Mac Alfanta and Chad Cartel with 14 points apiece to lead the best-of-three series.

Racine Kane, meanwhile, had 25 points and 12 rebounds, while Koji Buenaflor had 15 points. Carl Manding added 12 points for the España-based squad.

NUNS last won the boys' title in Season 82 in 2020.

In the girls' division, UST dominated NUNS, 85-57, in Game 1 of the finals.

Barby Dajao had 25 points and 14 rebounds, along with five assists and five steals, while Rhiane Perez also had a double-double performance of 16 points, 12 rebounds, five steals, four assists, and one block. for UST.

Marielle Avila had 15 points, while Aubrey Lapasaran had 13 points for NUNS.

UST and Adamson University were declared co-champions in the inaugural girls basketball tournament in 2020 before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scores:

Boys division:

NUNS 77 – Akowe 24, Alfanta 14, Cartel 14, Napa 9, Palanca 7, Locsin 6, Pillado 3, Matias 0, Nepacena 0, Usop 0, Solomon 0, Natinga 0, Figueroa 0.

UST 70 – Kane 25, Buenaflor 15, Manding 12, Esteban 6, Cañete 5, Acido 3, Bucsit 2, Cinco 2, Ludovice 0, Solon 0, Vidanes 0.

Quarters: 23-23, 38-36, 63-62, 77-70.

Girls division:

UST 85 - Dajao 25, Perez 16, Pinuela 14, Abrantes 14, Insoy 12, Wenceslao 2, Tambawan 2, Onate 0, Banate 0, Anonuevo 0, Boteros 0.

NUNS 57 - Avila 15, Lapasaran 13, Mallari 8, Pascua 7, Badajos 5, Trinidad 4, Abong 2, Katigbak 2, Sales 1, Singson 0, Aycardo 0.

Quarters: 27-19, 44-36, 62-49, 85-57.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News