UAAP: Final Four-bound NUNS, FEU-D, Ateneo, DLSZ notch wins on penultimate elims day

Final Four contenders National University Nazareth School, Far Eastern University-Diliman, Ateneo de Manila University, and De La Salle Zobel secured crucial victories on the penultimate day of the UAAP Season 88 boys’ basketball elimination round Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

NUNS def. Adamson, 86-68

National University Nazareth School moved closer to clinching a twice-to-beat advantage after an 86-68 win over Adamson University.

Corian Cabantog paced the Bullpups with 14 points, while Shaun Lucido, Mot Matias, and Kurl Figueroa added 13, 12, and 11 points, respectively, as NUNS improved to 11-2.

Mac Jenodia scored 16 points for Adamson, while Jarl Artango and Francel Flores chipped in 13 and 11, respectively, as the Baby Falcons fell to 4-9.

FEU-D def. UE, 71-62

Far Eastern University-Diliman also rose to 11-2 after a 71-62 victory over the University of the East.

Khean Esperanza led the Baby Tamaraws with 22 points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Marc Burgos and Yosef Rañeses contributed 11 points apiece.

Sizco Roquid and JM Edoukou finished with 14 points each for UE, which dropped to 4-9.

Ateneo def. UP, 103-57

Ateneo de Manila University overwhelmed the University of the Philippines, 103-57, to improve to 10-3 ahead of its crucial showdown against FEU-D.

Jude Eriobu delivered 20 points and 19 rebounds, along with two blocks, an assist, and a steal. Jay M Leal and Noah Banal added 11 points each.

Bruce Tubongbanua scored 18 points, while Zandro Lugatiman and Jhustin Hallare had 16 and 12, respectively, for the still-winless Fighting Maroons.

DLSZ def. UST, 84-80

De La Salle Zobel staged a late rally to edge University of Santo Tomas, 84-80.

UST led 77-74 with under four minutes left before the Junior Archers unleashed a decisive 10-0 run, bookended by two triples from Maco Dabao. Although JC Canapi drained a late three for the Tiger Cubs, DLSZ held on for the win.

Dabao finished with 27 points, including four triples, along with eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block. Yusuf Mikailu added 21 points and 16 rebounds, while Nino Ferrer and Kio Favis chipped in 16 and 10 points, respectively, as the Alabang-based squad improved to 8-5.

The victory spoiled Jetlee Melano’s 27-point, seven-rebound effort for UST. Canapi and Charles Esteban scored 12 and 11 points, respectively, as the Tiger Cubs slipped to 4-9.

HS Girls: DLSZ vs Ateneo, 100-47

DLSZ routed Ateneo, 100-47, in the high school girls’ basketball tournament.

Ima Navarro and Apyang Dulay scored 18 points apiece for DLSZ, with Navarro adding 13 rebounds. Dulay, meanwhile, posted a triple-double, tallying 11 steals and 10 rebounds as the Junior Lady Archers improved to 2-4.

Cheska Gozum paced the still-winless Blue Eagles with 11 points.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News