 |
| NU-Nazareth booked a trip to Singapore by avenging its UAAP boys' basketball finals defeat to UST. UAAP Season 87 Media Team (file photo) |
QUEZON CITY--NU-Nazareth got some sort of revenge against the University of Santo Tomas on Saturday night after scoring a 101-75 win in the boys finals of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational Philippine Qualifiers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
One and a half months after the Tiger Cubs prevailed in an overtime thriller to reclaim the UAAP high school boys' basketball title after 24 years, the Bullpups got back at them in style, opening a 33-19 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looking back from there.
NU-Nazareth's dominance was witnessed by NBA rising star Jeremy Sochan, who even did some commentary during the broadcast of the boys' final.
"Ang sabi ko sa kanila, this tournament is something to look forward to, so next tournaments, let's do better and continue on," Coach Kevin De Castro said about his team's win.
Rob Celiz, the son of current Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards star Robby, led the Bullpups with 26 points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Shaun Lucido, who was named Finals MVP, added 25 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal, while Moussa Diakite, who will now take over the place left by UAAP Best Foreign Student-Athlete Collins Akowe, put up 14 points, 12 rebounds, one steal, and four emphatic blocks.
"Sobrang happy kami dahil nakabawi kami sa UST," Lucido said.
Former Gilas Pilipinas Youth player Joaquin Ludovice fired 26 points with six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block for the Tiger Cubs.
Hours before their male counterparts completed the domination, the Lady Bullpups made it 1-0 for NU-Nazareth by whipping La Salle College Antipolo, 107-49, in the girls' final.
Both NU-Nazareth's basketball teams now qualify for the NBA Rising Star Invitational in Singapore from June 25-29, where they will face fellow high school squads from 11 countries across the Asia-Pacific region.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
.jpg)
