NAZARETH School of National University overcame De La Salle-Zobel's tough stand, 74-71, to remain undefeated in the UAAP Season 85 high school boys basketball tournament at the San Andres Sports Complex on Sunday.
The threepeat-seeking Bullpups survived despite having scoreless in the final 2:14, as the Junior Archers fell short of a major upset.
"Muntik pa kami," said coach Kevin de Castro after NSNU turned the ball over 17 times and allowed De La Salle-Zobel to score 25 points in the payoff period. "Yung turnovers, ang dami naming ibinigay. Medyo pangit ang inilaro namin this game."
After Reinhard Jumamoy missed two free throws, the Junior Archers tried to send the match into overtime in the final 11 seconds but they could not convert on the final possession.
Jumamoy just missed out on a second straight triple-double, finishing with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists to lead the Bullpups, who are now 5-0 and have won 32 straight games.
Rhyie Melencio had 26 points, including a lay-up in the final 1:18 that cut the Junior Archers' deficit to 71-74. He also had 12 boards and three blocks.
Adamson remained level with Far Eastern University-Diliman at second place following a wire-to-wire 91-64 win over University of Santo Tomas.
Mat Edding almost had a triple-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists as the Baby Falcons rolled to a fourth straight victory after a season-opening defeat to the Bullpups.
Vince Reyes chipped in 16 points, eight boards, three assists, three steals and three blocks while Peter Rosillo and Justin Garcia added 13 and 10 points, respectively for Adamson.
UST, which missed coach Jinino Manansala due to illness, fell to 2-3 to join Ateneo in fourth spot.
Mark Llemit and James Jumao-as each had 16 points for the Tiger Cubs, who trailed by as much as 27 points.De La Salle-Zobel fell to a tie with UP Integrated School and University of the East for the sixth to eighth places at 1-4.
The scores:
Third Game
NSNU (74) - Jumamoy 19, Colonia 15, Demetria 12, Timbang 7, Clarito 6, Tagotongan 6, Yusi 3, Alfanta 2, Herrera 2, Solomon 2.DLSZ (71) - Melencio 26, Espina 13, San Agustin 12, Dimaano 9, Chang 5, Melecio 4, Pabellano 2, Dionisio 0, John 0, Sta. Maria 0, Cruz 0.Quarterscores: 24-12, 37-32, 63-46, 74-71
Fourth GameAdamson (91) - Edding 19, Reyes 16, Rosillo 13, Garcia 10, Medina 8, Bonzalida 7, Culdora 5, Carillo 5, Abayon 4, Sajili 2, Perez 2, De Guzman 0, Tambauan 0, De Jesus 0.UST (64) - Llemit 16, Jumao-as 16, Pangilinan 10, Bucsit 10, Tesocan 6, Naron 4, Esteban 2, Manding 0, Ayon 0, Velasquez 0, Bunenaflor 0.Quarterscores: 25-15, 46-36, 70-50, 91-64