COACH Kevin De Castro of reigning two-time champion Nazareth School of National University finally got a consistent effort from his wards against University of the Philippines Integrated School and was aptly rewarded with handsome dividends yesterday.
The Bullpups ripped the Junior Fighting Maroons 78-62 to extend their unbeaten run to six and 33-0 since 2018 in the 85th UAAP juniors’ basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Reinhard Jumamoy became the first high school player in the league to post two triple-doubles in one season since University of Santo Tomas’ Mark Nonoy did the trick in 2019.
The Cebuano guard, 19, wound up with 25 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists for NSNU, which scored a fitting follow up to a 74-71 decision over La Salle Zobel last Sunday and rose to 6-0.
UPIS, coming off a 59-97 loss to Far Eastern University-Diliman four days ago, dropped to 1-5.
“Past two games medyo inconsistent kami kasi nagiging close fight,” De Castro said. “Iyong third quarter namin, we gave up 26 points, although iyong turnovers namin, na-limit namin to 16.
“Iyong depensa pa, i-polish namin. We have a tough game ahead versus FEU. Gusto naming i-fast track iyong consistency ng mga bata at iyong maturity nila,” he added.
In the second game, Vince Reyes totaled 26 markers and 11 boards as Adamson High School overpowered University of the East 87-52 for its fifth straight win.
“Mentally going to that game, prepared dapat sila kasi ayokong pumasok sa utak nila na that we have this five-game winning streak. Hindi dapat ilagay nila sa utak iyon. Malagay nila sa utak nila na one game at a time,” Baby Falcons tactician Mike Fermin, whose team improved to 5-1, said.
“Last game of the first round is on Sunday. So, iyon ang focus dapat, the task on that thing.”
The Junior Red Warriors came off an 84-79 stunner over Ateneo High School last Sunday and fell to 1-5.
Jonas Napalang scored 24 points, while Kobe Demisana had 18 and 13 for the Junior Maroons.
Andrei de Leon got 15 points, seven caroms, and six dimes, while Nikko Morales contributed 12 for UE.
