MIEKHO Natinga shattered the UAAP record for most three-pointers made in a single game with 13, leading NU-Nazareth School to a commanding 124-41 triumph over the University of the Philippines Integrated School in the UAAP Season 88 boys’ basketball tournament on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Natinga made history by draining 13 of his 20 attempts from beyond the arc, surpassing the previous record held by La Salle's Luisa San Juan for women, as well as Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa and UE legend Allan Caidic for men.
The 19-year-old guard from Bukidnon finished his historic performance by outscoring the entire Jr. Maroons outfit — which managed just 41 points on 13-of-55 shooting — with 44 points on 15-of-22 shooting, adding two rebounds to help the Bullpups snap a two-game skid and improve to 3-2.
“Yung record ni Miekho, talagang sabi ko sa sarili ko na nakaka-proud kasi bihira ka magkaroon ng player na ganito ‘eh — yung may record na nakuha at na-achieve. Mahirap gawin, pero bilang coach niya, talagang masasabi ko na nakaka-proud,” head coach Kevin de Castro said.
NUNS wasted no time finding its rhythm, scoring 61 points and dishing out 22 assists on efficient 24-of-36 shooting in the first half, while holding UPIS to just 18 points and forcing 14 turnovers.
With Napa giving him the greenlight to chase the milestone, Natinga officially broke the record at the 3:14 mark of the payoff period then added two more to cement his place in the history books.
“Kanina, grinab ko lang yung opportunity na binigay nila coach sa akin. Nagpa-sub na nga ako kanina kasi talagang nahihiya na ako sa mga teammates ko kasi puro tira. Pero sabi nila coach Jeff at coach Kevin na sige, itira mo lang,” said Natinga, who had previously averaged just 3.25 points, while making only one triple before his record-breaking performance.
Shaun Lucido finished with 21 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Malian center Moussa Diakite contributed all of his 16 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, two blocks, and one assist in the first half.
For the Jr. Maroons, who remained winless through five games, Jhustin Hallare scored 17 points on 5-of-17 shooting, adding three rebounds and three assists, while Bruce Tubongbanua struggled with four points on 1-of-8 shooting and seven turnovers.
DLSZ scores convincing victory, as well
Meanwhile, Nigerian center Yusuf Mikailu and Maco Dabao powered De La Salle Zobel to a wire-to-wire 71-45 victory vs. Adamson.
With the results, the Jr. Archers and the Bullpups are tied for third-place with identical 3-2 records heading into the last two game days of the first round.
Dabao finished with 17 points, five rebounds, three steals, and two assists, while Mikailu recorded a dominant double-double of 14 points and 23 rebounds, along with two blocks and one assist.
Rookie guard Fran Flores led the Baby Falcons, who fell to sixth-place at 2-3, with 15 points, five rebounds, one steal, and one assist, while Jarl Artango added nine points, two rebounds, and one steal.
The Scores:
First Game:
NUNS 124 - Natinga 44, Lucido 21, Diakite 16, Manding 6, R. Matias 6, Cartel 5, M. Matias 4, Figueroa 4, Bouzina 4, Sison 4, Tulabut 4, Mann 2, Cabantong 2, Celiz 2, Juan 0, Timbang 0.
UPIS 41 - Hallare 17, Poquiz 7, Addatu 5, Tubongbanua 4, Pascual 3, Cobico 3, Lugatiman 2, M. Rosete 0, Manguerra 0, Labao 0, J. Rosete 0, Ryan 0, Hernandez 0, Villanueva 0.
Quarters: 36-9, 61-18, 95-27, 124-41.
Second Game:
DLSZ 71 - Dabao 17, Mikailu 14, Borrero 8, Dimayuga 6, Atienza 6, Ferrer 5, Alpapara 5, Arejola 4, Reyes 3, Favis 2, Tan 1, Luna 0, Llamas 0.
ADAMSON 45 - Flores 15, Artango 9, Bautista 7, Iledan 4, Fragoso 3, Saygo 2, Garcia 2, Jenodia 0, Fongtong 0, Gonzales 0.
Quarters: 16-10, 38-23, 59-34, 71-45.
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