The National University Nazareth School (NUNS) dominated Day 3 of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational Philippines Qualifiers and ended up undefeated in both the boys' and girls' division of the pool games.
However, the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Tiger Cubs and the La Salle College of Antipolo (LSCA) Voyagers will aim to challenge NUNS one more time in the finals this Saturday, May 10, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Girls Division: NUNS Lady Bullpups 98 - 36 LSCA Voyagers
The Lady Bullpups started the game strong with a 26-8 effort and never let go until the buzzer, 98-36. The tenacity included hounding second chance points 23-3, getting points off turnovers 52-6, and securing fastbreak points 33-4.
Guada Badajos led the game in scoring with 17 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Aubrey Lapasaran chipped in 16 points, three rebounds, an assist, and seven steals.
In the Voyagers' side, Clara Ibardaloza made nine points while Krizzy Eustaquio pitched in seven.
Despite the effort on defense, Lapasaran said they were not satisfied.
"'Yung gusto kong i-improve is 'yung depensa po talaga," she told NBA TV Philippines and One Sports. "Kasi medyo marami po sa sarili ko, alam ko na marami akong lapses sa depensa. 'Yun yung goal namin as a team, na ma-polish 'yung depensa namin."
The Lady Bullpups finished at the top of the three-team field with a 3-0 record and would face the Voyagers (2-1) again in the finals on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
Boys Division: UST Tiger Cubs 91 - 88 ADD Blue Knights
After absorbing a 26-point beatdown from the Bullpups on Thursday, the Tiger Cubs got their bearings back and eked out a 91-88 squeaker against the Ateneo de Davao Blue Knights for a slot in the finals.
Basketball Without Borders Asia alumnus Joaquin Ludovice led UST with 24 points, including five triples, along with three rebounds, four assists, and four steals. John Canapi added 18, while Lorenz Cinco made 15.
ADD actually had the hot start with 28-17 in the first quarter, but UST made a 25-15 effort in the second frame--leading to a back-and-forth affair after halftime.
Come the final quarter, Canapi went off for six straight points to give UST an 89-85 lead. The Blue Knights had the chance to snatch the game in the last two minutes, but their efforts went for naught.
"Always ready naman ako pag nasa bench, lalo na kapag ipapasok na ako sa laro. Sabi ni coach sa akin na tira lang ako nang tira at lalabas yung resulta," said Canapi.
Jhon Peligrino had a double-double 27 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort for the Blue Knights, along with eight assists. Raissen Boholano had 25 points and nine rebounds.
UST coach Noli Mejos shared the effort he made on Friday, after figuratively saying the Tiger Cubs were caught sleeping unawares in their blowout loss to the Bullpups.
"Prinepare ko mindset nila. Nagpapawis kami ng umaga, 'di tulog ng tulog," he said, noting what he wanted to change. "Most of dun sa game namin more on defense and more confidence, kasi parang walang kumpyansa 'yung iba."
UST, holding a 2-1 record, earned the right to face NUNS again--this time in the finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, May 10.
"Sabi ko nga, pinagbigyan tayo ni Lord na makalaban ulit sila," Mejos said.
Boys Division: NUNS Bullpups 82 - 56 SHS-ADC Magis Eagles
Like their counterpart in the girls' division, the Bullpups chomped for the lead early, 27-13, and held on until the final buzzer, 82-56.
Andre Mann led all players with 26 points from an impressive 10-of-16 shooting, including six triples. He also had six points, two assists, and three steals.
The Bullpups bench also came out in full force, outscoring the Magis Eagles second stringers, 40-32. Chester Tulabut (13) and Rob Celiz (10) were at the forefront of that effort.
Meanwhile, Kent Basa chipped 15 for SHADC.
With the Bullpups bearing a 3-0 record in three dominant performances, coach Kevin de Castro said he didn't even have to tell his players to ease on the pedal despite the huge leads.
"Actually, sa kanila na mismo galing. 'Pag alam nilang nagre-relax sila, alam nila kung kailan sila magta-trabaho. Alam din nila kung kelan aalisin 'yung pagiging relaxed sa loob ng court," de Castro shared. "What we do in practice, it will translate. We enjoy the moment."
The winning boys’ and girls’ teams of the Philippines Qualifiers will then represent their schools at the NBA Rising Stars Invitational, the league’s first regional high-school basketball tournament, which will feature boys’ and girls’ teams from 11 countries and territories across Asia-Pacific competing in Singapore from June 25-29 as part of a multiday immersive basketball and entertainment festival.
The boys' and girls' finals on Saturday will be aired on One Sports, NBA TV Philippines and Pilipinas Live.
