De La Salle-Zobel’s Kieffer Alas shoots a jumper against UE during the UAAP Season 86 Boys’ High School Basketball Tournament. – UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Nazareth University National High School began its tour with a 70-56 victory over title-holder Far Eastern University-Diliman in the UAAP Season 86 High School Boys Basketball Tournament on Tuesday at Amoranto Arena.
Nigeria’s rookie big man Collins Akowe lived up to the billing with a monster performance of 17 points, 21 rebounds and three blocks, while Mac Mac Alfanta scored 14 points for the Bullpups, who were eliminated by the same team a season ago in the semi-finals.
“I am very happy because my players have made progress. In fact, none of the other quarterbacks are a good fit for (Klein) Tagotongan and (Thomas) Pillado,” second-year Bullpups head coach Kevin De Castro said as Tagotongan was nursing a sprained right foot while Pillado was suffering from chickenpox.
“They rose to the challenge of maintaining the team despite staff shortages. I said even though our opponent is the defending champion, let’s make a statement today.”
Even after last season’s MVP Reinhard Jumamoy finished, NUNS looked as energetic as ever, boosted by Akowe’s presence in midfield.
“Collins is a big deal for us on both ends. He is our anchor, so we rely on him,” De Castro said. “Anyway, he is maturing because we know that the Filipino style of basketball is different. We just told him to play his game.
Collins Akowe of the NU Bullpups. – PHOTO UAAP
Jedric Daa and Liam Salangsang scored 11 and 10 points respectively for Baby Tamaraws, who were 22 points behind.
While FEU-Diliman stumbled in their first match, last season’s runner-up Adamson University made a winning start.
Gabe de Jesus scored 20 points and Earl Medina added 17 points, six steals, five rebounds and two steals, and the Baby Falcons spoiled Manu Iñigo’s coaching debut at the University of Santo Tomas with a 95-81 victory.
Kieffer Alas, a member of the Fiba Under-16 Asian Championship 2023 Mythical Team, had a solid all-around game with 32 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and two steals as De La Salle-Zobel defeated University of the East 79- 76 .
Transfer Ziv Espinas debuted with 19 points, 15 rebounds and six assists as Ateneo earned a 93-86 victory over UP Integrated School.
Action resumes Tuesday at Adamson Gym, where the Junior Archers will face the Baby Tamaraws at 1 p.m., followed by a clash between the Bullpups and Junior Warriors at 3 p.m.
“We will stick to our system. At least we have a week of preparation para sa kanila,” De Castro said of the re-armed Red Warriors.
Results:
First game
Ateneo (93) – Thorns 19, Ebdane 17, Porter 15, Urbina 8, Madrangca 6, Meadow 6, Lagdamen 5, Delos Santos 5, De Guzman 4, Domangcas 3, Suico 2, Tupas 2, Ong 1, Assisto
UPIS (86) – Valdeavilla 30, Tubongbanua 20, Melicor 16, Egea 9, Gomez de Liaño 9, Hernandez 2, Coronel 0.
Quarterfinal results: 35–25, 52–48, 74–65, 93–86
Second game
NUNS (70) – Secretary 17, Alfanta 14, Barraca 11, Reroma 8, Yusi 8, Palanca 6, Nepacema 5, Solomon 2, Cartel 0, Usop 0, Napa 0, Figueroa 0.
FEU-D (56) – Daa 11, Salangsan 10, Miranda 9, Cabonilas 8, Miller 4, Mecha 4, Pre 3, Habito 3, Gordon 2, Burgos 2, De Guzman 0, Cabigting 0, Gemao 0, Godoy 0, Castillejos 0, Pascual 0.
Quarterfinal results: 19-17, 34-28, 55-41, 70-56
Third match
DLSZ (79) – Alas 32, Dimaano 11, Thorn 10, Daja 9, Dabao 6, Atienza 4, Pabellano 3, Gubat 2, Favis 2, Lopez 0, Cruz 0, Domangcas 0, Grove 0, Sta. Mary 0, Food
UE (76) – Tasty 16, Lagat 16, Alexander 13, De Leon 9, Nurjadden 8, Farochilen 6, Sarza 2, Erlance 2, Despi 1, Suria 1, Malonzo 0.
Quarterfinal results: 11-22, 35-41, 54-51, 79-76
Fourth match
AdU (95) – De Jesus 20, Medina 17, Garcia 11, Abayon 9, Bonzalida 9, Tumaneng 8, Reyes 5, Perez 5, Carillo 3, Artango 3, Hope 2, Sajili 2, Umali 1.
UST (81) – Bucsit 18, Dungo 15, Buenaflor 12, Verzosa 12, Ludovice 9, Manding 5, Zanoria 5, Lim 4, Kings 1, Ronquillo 0, Loreto 0, Velasquez 0.
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Quarterfinal results: 31-17, 51-35, 75-61, 95-81
