UAAP: NUNS, FEU-D clinch playoff berths for Final Four spots in HS boys basketball

National University Nazareth School and Far Eastern University-Diliman secured playoff berths for a Final Four spot following their respective victories in the UAAP Season 88 high school boys’ basketball tournament on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

NUNS defeated the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 92-60, with Shaun Lucido leading the way with 16 points. Mot Matias and Kurl Figueroa added 12 and 10 points, respectively, as the Bullpups improved to 9-2.

The win spoiled Bruce Tubongbanua’s 23-point performance for UPIS, which remained winless through 11 games.

FEU-D def. UST, 84-81

FEU-D, meanwhile, outlasted the University of Santo Tomas, 84-81, to likewise improve to 9-2.

Trailing 71-62 at the end of the third quarter, the Tiger Cubs mounted a rally and grabbed a 78-76 lead with 3:01 remaining in the fourth. FEU-D responded with a 5-0 run to regain control before Simon Pulongbarit drained a triple to tie the game. Marc Burgos answered with a three-pointer of his own to put FEU-D back on top for good. The Tiger Cubs missed their final attempts, including a potential equalizer from Kirk Cañete beyond the arc.

Cabs Cabonilas posted a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, along with four assists and four blocks. Burgos also recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, adding three blocks and a steal.

JB Cagurungan scored 17 points, while Prince Cariño contributed 14.

Cañete led UST with 21 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Jetlee Melano, JC Canapi, and Ola Ajani chipped in 13 points each as the Tiger Cubs fell to 4-7.

Ateneo def. Adamson, 88-65

Earlier, Ateneo de Manila University defeated Adamson University, 88-65.

Jude Eriobu delivered 19 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks for the Blue Eagles. Audwyn Tamayo and Jay M. Leal scored 16 and 13 points, respectively, while Zane Kallos added 11 as Ateneo improved to 8-3.

Jarl Artango and Francel Flores scored 11 points each for Adamson, which slipped to 4-7.

DLSZ def. UE, 59-47

De La Salle Santiago Zobel School pulled away for a 59-47 victory over the University of the East to boost its Final Four hopes.

Ken Atienza scored 14 points, Maco Dabao added 13, and Mark Borrero chipped in 12 as the Junior Archers improved to 6-5.

Jamal Diaz paced UE with 12 points as the Junior Warriors dropped to 4-7.

UAAP girls’ basketball

In the girls’ division, UST defeated DLSZ, 81-65.

Riri Perez filled the stat sheet with 17 points, 20 rebounds, seven assists, five steals, and four blocks to lead UST. Koukou Talla added 13 points.

Lea Pinuela and Kat Insoy scored 10 points apiece, while Sabel Anacan tallied nine points and 10 rebounds as UST improved to 4-1.

Fia Martinez led DLSZ with 10 points as the team slipped to 1-4.

—JKC, GMA integrated News