NATIONAL UNIVERSITY Nazareth School kicked off its bid in the demonstration event UAAP Juniors High School boys’ basketball tournament on a rousing note, scoring a 110-40 rout of Adamson University last Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Arena.
It was a dominant showing for the Bullpups, who raced to a 32-0 start and never looked back.
The Baby Falcons, the youngest team in the league featuring a couple of 13-year-olds, only scored seven points in the opening frame– all from free throws.
Six Bullpups scored in double figures, with winger Shaun Lucido leading the way with 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting with five steals.
A slew of second-generation players also delivered with Rob Celiz, son of former Bulldog Robby Celiz, chipping in 19 markers, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal, while Mot Motias, son of ex-PBA pro Ronnie, got 10 and nine.
Fave Quinto (15 points), Denver Sison (13 markers, six boards), and Sean Reroma (10) also put up the buckets for NUNS, which forced Adamson to commit 47 turnovers that led to 51 points.
“Very happy ako na may ganito na ang UAAP para mabigyan ng exposure iyong grassroots namin,” NUNS coach Kevin De Castro said.
“Sabi ko nga sa players namin, ito iyong stage 1 sa development nila as basketball players.
Sixteen-under tapos 19-under then college. Hopefully, maging regular event ito,” he added.
Kobe Urbina was the sole double-digit scorer for the Baby Falcons with 10 points.
Far Eastern University-Diliman and. also scored wins on opening day with the former surging ahead in the fourth to pull off a 76-63 victory over University of Santo Tomas, while De La Salle-Zobel nipped University of the East 73-71.
Ken Atienza, who was also part of the Junior Archers’ Under-19 team that finished sixth place in the High School Boys’ tourney, knocked down the go-ahead bucket for DLSZ, barreling his way inside for a lay-in with 29.2 seconds left.
On the other end, Mab Mesina missed a well-contested three-point attempt.
Though the Junior Warriors were able to force an eight-second violation that gave them one last shot with 6.5 seconds remaining, Louie Banal missed his layup as time expired.
Atienza ended up with a 13-point, 16-rebound double-double for DLSZ while Melvin Tailan and Vince Magan scored 23 points each.
Pat Pasinos dropped a monster double-double for the Baby Tamaraws with 22 points and 19 rebounds. Jharred Gutierrez also finished with a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds.