MANILA — National University Nazareth School pulled away for an 85-68 win over Far Eastern University-Diliman that kept them undefeated in the UAAP Season 89 Boys' 16-and-Under Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the DLSZ Sports Pavilion in Muntinlupa.
In a rematch of the Season 88 Boys' Under-16 Finals, the Bullpups handed the Baby Tamaraws a second straight defeat — and stretched their winning streak to 21 games in the process.
NUNS is at the top of the league standings with a 5-0 win-loss record.
Jestony Arellano of NUNS in action against FEU-Diliman in the UAAP Season 89 Boys' 16-and-Under Basketball Tournament, September 26, 2026 at the DLSZ Sports Pavilion in Muntinlupa. UAAP Media
"Pinaghandaan talaga namin 'yung laban na 'to," said Jestony Arellano, who powered NUNS with a monster double-double of 27 points and 16 rebounds.
Martin Macoy finished with 21 points, five rebounds, and five assists, while Ron Mayor added 10 points for the Bullpups.
Despite trailing for most of the first half, NUNS flipped the script with a 13-point swing in the third quarter to seize a double-digit lead heading into the final canto, 65-55.
NUNS head coach Leo Pujante credited his team's defense after the Bullpups outscored FEU-D by 20 points in the second half.
"We tightened up our defense. Yun lang naman, dumepensa lang kami nang tama," he said.
The Bullpups hounded the Baby Tamaraws on defense throughout the second half, finishing with 14 steals and forcing FEU-D into 22 turnovers.
NUNS capitalized on those miscues, holding a 21-13 advantage in points off turnovers.
"Maganda ang outlook ko sa NUNS, we're trying to defend our crown. May kailangan kaming patunayan na we can win this one without an FSA," Pujante added.
FEU-D was led by Bernard Alsola, who had 15 points and three steals. Hisham Mampao chipped in 12 points, while Griffin Barlan and Andres Cruz each added 10.
DEFENDING HOME COURT
Closing out the Saturday quadruple-header, De La Salle Zobel defended home court and returned to the win column after dismantling University of the Philippines Integrated School, 86-57.
De La Salle-Zobel huddles during their game against UPIS in the UAAP Season 89 Boys' 16-and-Under Basketball Tournament, September 26, 2026 at the DLSZ Sports Pavilion in Muntinlupa. UAAP Media
It was a fitting cap to the gameday for the DLSZ faithful, who witnessed the school's historic first-ever UAAP home game at the Alabang venue.
After snapping their two-game skid, the Junior Archers moved into a three-way tie for third place with the UST Tiger Cubs and FEU-D Baby Tamaraws, all carrying identical 3-2 records.
"We're happy and proud as a team, because we played as a team and played good basketball today," said Enzo Purugganan, who led DLSZ in scoring with 17 points and three steals.
Rye Villaruz posted a double-double for the Junior Archers with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Fonzie Mercado chipped in 11 points.
"Definitely happy about the outcome and I'm glad that we were able to get the win. We got back on the winning track, especially in our home court. Definitely happy for that," said DLSZ head coach Hyram Bagatsing.
DLSZ went on a 16-0 rampage, keeping UPIS scoreless for more than half of the second quarter to build a commanding 41-14 advantage—just one point shy of tripling the Junior Fighting Maroons' entire output.
UPIS, however, answered with a 13-2 run to close the half, cutting what had been a 27-point deficit to 43-27 at the break.
The fightback proved short-lived, however, as the Junior Archers regained their footing in the third quarter and stretched their lead to 33, 62-29, with 3:25 left in the frame for their biggest lead of the game.
DLSZ continued to pile on the points in the fourth, restoring its 33-point cushion at 73-40 with 7:56 remaining as the Junior Archers firmly put the game out of reach.
"This was very important so we can get our momentum back since we've been on a two-game losing streak so it's a good opportunity for us to really get back to our identity. That's what I was just telling the boys," Bagatsing added.
UPIS remained tied for sixth with the Adamson Baby Falcons at 1-4.
Zandro Lugatiman paced UPIS with 17 points and six rebounds, while Kean Poquiz finished with 15 points and six rebounds.
The Scores:
Third Game:
NUNS 85 - Arellano 27, Macoy 21, Mayor 10, Cano 8, Lopez 6, Enriquez 5, Flores 4, Genido 2, Tundag 2, Dalanan 0, Garcia 0, Osorio 0, Dizon 0, Geron 0.
FEU-D 68 - Alsola 15, Mampao 12, Barlan 10, Cruz 10, Samonte 8, Calma 7, Garcia 2, Ira 2, Madrigal 2, Manaloto 0, Maghinay 0, Isip 0.
Quarterscores: 23-27, 42-45, 65-55, 85-68.
Fourth Game:
DLSZ 86 - E. Purugganan 17, Villaruz 16, Mercado 11, Paceno 8, Enriquez 6, I. Purugganan 5, Buenafe 5, Quillo 4, Dela Lara 3, Francisco 3, Montes 2, Stehmeier 2, Dizon 2, Noel 2, Tabu 0.
UPIS 57 - Lugatiman 17, Poquiz 15, David 7, Floirendo 7, Labao 5, Santos 3, Bautista 2, Romey 0, Rico 0, Sebastian 0, Avendano 0, Sarthou 0.
Quarterscores: 25-14, 43-27, 68-39, 86-57.