MANILA – National University Nazareth School Bullpups pulled off a 77-70 victory over University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ Basketball Finals on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
Collins Akowe tallied a double-double of 24 points and 22 rebounds to go with two assists and a block as the Bullpups took a 1-0 edge in the best-of-three title series.
Ilonggo Chad Cartel contributed 14 markers, including three outside conversions, while Carl Alfanta added 14 markers, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals for the NUNS.
Holding to a slim 66-64 lead, the Bullpups went on a 6-1 scoring run behind back-to-back inside hits from Akowe and a basket from Jid Locsin to widen their advantage to 72-65.
The Tiger Cubs responded with a three-point play from Racine Kane but conversions from Cartel and Alfanta with less than 10 seconds in the game sealed the win for the Bullpups.
“Hindi pa tapos ‘yung story namin this season. Siguro ito ‘yung time na mabalik namin ‘yung pinaghirapan namin. Eto ‘yung one step closer sa pinaghirapan namin,” NUNS head coach Kevin De Castro said after the game.
Kane finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, three steals, and two rebounds, while Koji Buenaflor at Carl Manding added 15 and 12 points, respectively, for the Tiger Cubs
The Bullpups will aim to capture their first UAAP Boys’ Basketball crown since Season 82 in Game 2 on Thursday, March 20. /PN
BOX SCORE:
NUNS 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, Cañete 5, Acido 3, Bucsit 2, Cinco 2, Ludovice 0, Solon 0, Vidanes 0.
Quarterscores: 23-23, 38-36, 63-62, 77-70.
