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MANILA, Philippines – The NU Bullpups are one win away from reclaiming the UAAP boys’ basketball tournament title.
Led by reigning MVP Collins Akowe, the Bullpups drew first blood against the UST Tiger Cubs in their best-of-three Season 87 finals with a 77-70 win at the FilOil EcoOil Centre on Thursday, March 13.
Akowe — who is set to win the league’s first-ever Best Foreign Student-Athlete award — was a man among boys as he put together a monster double-double of 24 points and 22 rebounds.
It was a huge bounce-back performance by the 6-foot-10 Akowe after being limited to 8 points and 18 rebounds in their second-round duel with UST last March 6, where the Tiger Cubs handed the Bullpups their only loss of the season, 76-56, to prevent a stepladder semifinals.
“This win is very crucial. Getting Game 1, we have a good advantage coming into the next game,” said NU head coach Kevin De Castro in Filipino.
After leading by only 1 point at the start of the fourth period, 63-62, NU created a much-needed separation from UST with a 72-65 advantage off a putback by Jid Locsin midway through the quarter.
The Tiger Cubs got back to within four points following an and-one play by Racine Kane at the 5:12 mark and even had the opportunity to cut the deficit to just two points later on, but Koji Buenaflor went 0-of-2 from the free throw line with 3:55 to play.
A layup by Kane once again pulled the Tiger Cubs within four with 1:58 remaining, 70-74, but that proved to be their final basket of the ball game as Mac Alfanta put the finishing touches for the Bullpups with a layup at the 1:42 mark and a free throw with 6.8 seconds left.
Alfanta backstopped Akowe with 14 points despite shooting a lowly 5-of-21 clip from the field, together with 7 rebounds and 4 assists.
On the other side, Kane finished with a game-high 25 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 4 blocks, while Buenaflor contributed 15 markers in the loss.
NU goes for the kill in Game 2 on March 20 as it hopes to bring home the title it last won in Season 82 after finishing second the last two seasons.
Earlier, the UST Junior Growling Tigresses cruised to an 85-57 win over the NU Lady Bullpups for a 1-0 lead in the girl’s division best-of-three finals.
Presumptive MVP Barby Dajao led the unbeaten Junior Growling Tigresses in the 28-point beating with an all-around game of 25 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals.
Four more players scored in double-digits for UST — which played without its head coach Sen Dysangco due to a one-game suspension — with Rhiane Perez putting up 16 points, Lea Pinuela and Sandra Abrantes chipping in 14 each, and Katrina Insoy adding 12.
For the Lady Bullpups, Marielle Avila topscored with 15 points, while Gilas Girls standout Aubrey Lapasaran had 13.
UST looks to complete the season sweep and capture its first title since Season 82, where they were crowned co-champions with Adamson due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Scores
First Game (girls)
UST 85 – Dajao 25, Perez 16, Pineula 14, Abrantes 14, Insoy 12, Wenceslao 2, Tambawan 2, Onate 0, Banate 0, Anonuevo 0, Boteros 0.
NU 57 – Avila 15, Lapasaran 13, Mallari 8, Pascua 7, Badajos 5, Trinidad 4, Abong 2, Katigbak 2 Sales 1, Singson 0, Aycardo 0.
Quarters: 27-19, 44-36, 62-49, 85-57.
Second Game (boys)
NU 77 – Akowe 24, Alfanta 14, Cartel 14, Napa 9, Palanca 7, Locsin 6, Pillado 3, Matias 0, Nepacena 0, Usop 0, Solomon 0, Natinga 0, Figueroa 0.
UST 70 – Kane 25, Buenaflor 15, Manding 12, Esteban 6, Canete 5, Acido 3, Bucsit 2, Cinco 2, Ludovice 0, Solon 0, Vidanes 0.
Quarters: 23-23, 39-38, 63-62, 77-70.
– Rappler.com
