NU Bullpups near UAAP juniors elims sweep

Photo from UAAP

MANILA, Philippines—National University-Nazareth School moved on the verge of an elimination round sweep after it decimated hapless University of the Philippines Integrated School, 113-76, Sunday in the UAAP Season 82 high school boys’ basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Steve Nash Enriquez and Terrence Fortea led the defending champions, who hiked their record to 13-0, with 17 points apiece while Gerry Abadiano added 12 points and six assists.

Big men Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao did their work in the post with 10 points each and 18 rebounds combined.

“If we could get the sweep, then okay, but we’re always focused on the game that we will play next,” said NU head coach Goldwin Monteverde in Filipino.

Jordi Gomez de Liano paced UPIS with 27 points while Sean Torculas added 17 points, 22 rebounds but had nine turnovers.

Meanwhile, Ateneo High School clinched a spot in the semifinals after brushing off De La Salle-Zobel, 79-52.

Forthsky Padrigao had 19 points, six rebounds, three assists and four steals while LeBron Lopez added 17 points and had two blocks as the third-running Blue Eaglets improved to 8-5 record.

Ranz Uniza led La Salle with 14 points.

Adamson University grabbed sole possession of the fourth seed with a 124-68 humiliation of University of the East while second seed Far Eastern University-Diliman held off University of Santo Tomas, 81-73.

The Baby Tamaraws (12-1) still have a chance to claim the top seed if they beat the Bullpups by 16 or more points on Feb. 5.