By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Defending champion National University-Nazareth School extended its winning run to nine after prevailing over the University of Santo Tomas, 86-75, Thursday in the UAAP Season 89 U16 basketball at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Arnold Flores Jr. finished with 18 points and five rebounds for the Bullpups, who registered a historic 25 consecutive wins dating back to Season 88.
“There are actually a lot of pressures; we just don’t think about them,” Flores said when asked about the team’s title defense and winning streak.
Jesse Arellano chipped in 13 points and 17 rebounds, Dwayne Enriquez and Andrei Lopez scored 12 points each while Aaron Dalanan and Ron Mayor contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively, for NUNS, which trailed 34-43 at halftime.
“Like I said at halftime, we could do it. Even though we were playing poorly, the deficit was only nine points. We just had to chip away at it, possession by possession. And sure enough, the guys pulled it off,” NUNS head coach Leo Pujante said.
Miguel Austria delivered 19 points and 16 rebounds, followed by Dustin Keith Bathan with 17 points and Wayne Anggot with 15 for the Junior Tiger Cubs, who took their fifth loss against three wins.
In the other game, De La Salle Zobel defeated University of the Philippines Integrated School, 79-64, to improve to 6-3.
Mikko Noel led the Junior Archers with 20 points, seven rebounds, and four steals, while Ice Purugganan added 13 points and four rebounds.
Despite Zandro Lugatiman’s explosive 20-point first half, the Junior Archers maintained a slim 43-39 halftime lead through balanced scoring.
Zandro Lugatiman finished with 29 points, six rebounds, and six steals, while Hubert Bautista and Dominic Labao added 11 and 10 points, respectively, for UPIS, which suffered its seventh loss in nine outings. (PNA)
