UAAP: Shaun Lucido stars as NUNS forces do-or-die vs FEU-D in HS basketball

National University Nazareth School stayed alive in the UAAP Season 88 boys basketball best-of-three finals after trampling Far Eastern University-Diliman, 80-59, Thursday at the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagle Gym.

Shaun Lucido went off for a game-high 25 points, hitting six threes, good for a 66.7 percent shooting clip from beyond the arc.

The Sampaloc-based school came out the gates firing, headlined by the 17 first half points by Lucido. 

Finding his rhythm at an opportune time, the NUNS guard said that he is glad that they found an extra gear in order to force a rubber match against the Baby Tamaraws.

“'Yung mindset namin sa Game 2, dodoblehin 'yung effort sa nilaro namin noon. So, parang Game 2, ang approach namin is parang Game 1 pa rin. Parang zero-zero lahat. Kailangan talaga pag trabahuan pa naman namin,” said Lucido

Meanwhile, NUNS’ paint duo of Moussa Diakite and Carl Cabantog also came up with huge numbers, notching 10 markers each, with the latter also grabbing a game-high 14 boards.

Diakite and Cabantog also swatted away three and two blocks respectively.

Leading at the half by double digits, 45-31, NUNS preserved their cushion courtesy of resolute defense anchored by swingman Chad Cartel and bigman Diakite.

For Bullpups head tactician Kevin de Castro, he asserted that game three will be a battle of will; and that he hopes that the odds will be in his team’s favor.

“Thankful kami kasi binigyan kami ng another opportunity na i-force yung game three. Alam naman natin FEU-D talagang well-talented team..talagang ang game three wala na sa stats, system,” said de Castro.

“Kumbaga, guts and glory na eh. D'un na papasok 'yung individual talent na meron ang FEU-D, at the same time sa amin. So, sana lang, ma-bless kami ulit ni Lord sa game three.”

The two squads will face each other in a winner-take-all game three on March 30, Monday, in the same venue.

Scores:

NUNS 80 - Lucido 25, Diakite 10, Figueroa 10, Cabantog 9, Cartel 8, Natinga 6, Matias M. 5, Juan 4, Matias R. 3, Bouzina 0, Celiz 0, Timbang 0, Tulabut 0.

FEU-D 59 - Cabonilas 18, Esperanza 13, Burgos 8, Cagurungan 4, Cariño 4, Sohm 4, Gaye 3, Enriquez 2, Hall 1, Santos J. 1, Santos 1, Rañeses 0, Alagaban 0, Dagcutan 0, Dulin 0.

Quarterscores: 18-14, 45-31, 63-51, 80-59.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News