THE top-seeded National University Nazareth School (NUNS) won the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ Basketball Finals Game 1, defeating the University of Santo Tomas (UST) 77-70 on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
NUNS is now one step closer to earning the much-coveted trophy, having won the opening game of their best-of-three Finals series against the Tiger Cubs, which went down to the wire in the fourth quarter.
NU Escapes UST
In the fourth quarter of Game 1, NU’s Chard Cartel came through for the team, despite Senegalese forward Racine Kane’s heroics, which pushed UST within striking distance at 68-72.
Following Kane’s and-one play, the 18-year-old Cartel responded with his own long jumper before brilliantly setting up Mac Alfanta for a vital basket that extended NUNS’ advantage to 76-70 with 1:41 remaining in the game.
The time was still manageable, and UST still had a few opportunities to turn things around. However, committing four costly turnovers in the final seconds of the game didn’t help them.
Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group
Furthermore, Wacky Ludovice and Kane missed three-pointers in the final seconds. This, combined with their past turnovers, denied them the opportunity to launch a comeback.
While the Bullpups’ offensive is impressive, its defense has hindered the Tiger Cubs from ending their 24-year title drought. They were able to hold UST to a 3-of-14 shooting in the final period.
Collins Akowe had a strong double-double with 24 points, 22 rebounds, two assists, and one block. Meanwhile, Cartel scored 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, adding four rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Kane led UST in a losing effort with his own double-double of 25 points and 12 rebounds, along with four blocks, three steals, and two assists, while Koji Buenaflor added 15 points and seven rebounds despite missing key shots.
Back to Zero
With this victory, NUNS is on the verge of earning their eighth UAAP Boys’ Basketball championship since Season 82 in 2019. Taking the first game away from UST would give them a nearly two-to-one edge.
“Very crucial itong panalo sa Game 1. Makuha natin itong Game 1, maganda yung advantage natin coming into the next game [at] yung advantage, nandoon din,” said Bullpups head coach Kevin de Castro.
“Ma-address ko lang yung credit ko sa mga bata, kita naman natin nung fourth quarter, talagang trinabaho nila para makuha nila itong panalo,” De Castro added, complementing how his team played.
If we look at history, the Bullpups seems to have the upperhand, as seven of the last nine Game 1s and nine of the last eleven won by a team, secured the championship. However, De Castro will not let this get in their heads.
“May proper mindset dapat kami coming into Game 2. 0-0 ang utak namin next game. Job’s not done yet hangga’t hindi namin nakukuha yung second win para sa championship,” he said.
“We’ll be ready, alam namin yung UST malaking adjustments ‘yung gagawin, magpe-prepare yan sa amin at for sure hindi yan papayag sa’min sa Game 2. Pero we’ll be ready, do-doblehin or ti-triplehin namin yung ginawa namin today,” De Castro added.
The NUNS Bullpups will try to close the series and complete their redemption tour against the UST Tiger Cubs in Game 2 next Thursday, March 20, also at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
