NAZARETH School of National University showed no mercy on hapless University of the East, bringing down the hammer in the form of a 72-point demolition, 115-43, Saturday in the UAAP Season 81 juniors' basketball tournament at Blue Eagle Gym.
Gerry Abadiano captained the easy win with his 17 points and six rebounds as the Bullpups put the game beyond reach early with a scorching 27-10 start.
Terrence Fortea added 16 points on a 4-of-6 shooting from threes, to go with two steals, as Reyland Torres chipped in 13 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Kevin Quiambao also held the fort for NU with his 10 points and five rebounds as the team hardly needed the services of starting center Carl Tamayo.
Still undefeated through five games, coach Goldwin Monteverde was happy to note the improvements his side showed in this tiff.
"Mas maganda yung movement ng bola namin kanina compared sa ibang games. Yung defense naman, maganda rin from start to finish," he said as the Bullpups remain as the lone unbeaten team in the tourney.
"Siguro yung process of becoming a team, yun pa rin ang biggest challenge namin which is how to play together."
Shane Dichoso led the cellar-dwelling Junior Warriors with nine points and three rebounds as UE dropped to 0-5.
In the final game of the day, Andrey Doria atoned for what could have been a catastrophic blunder at the end of regulation to help Adamson come away with a tight 77-74 overtime victory over UST.
Doria almost gifted the Tiger Cubs the victory when he fouled Johnvic Casingcasing with 0.3 ticks left on a triple that tied the game at 66 in regulation. Lucky for the Baby Falcons, the latter muffed his freebie which sent the game to extra time.
That was where Doria redeemed himself, pouring seven of his 14 points in the additional five minutes to propel Adamson to a three-way logjam at third with its 3-2 card, tied with De La Salle-Zobel and FEU-Diliman.
He also grabbed seven rebounds in the win.
Twin brother Adam Doria also had his best game to date with his 18 points and five rebounds, as Lorenz Capulong notched a double-double with his 17 points, 10 boards, and two blocks.
Baby Falcons top gun Joem Sabandal collected eight points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals before going down with a left leg injury late in regulation.
Mark Nonoy once again flirted with a triple-double with his 20 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, but committed 10 turnovers for UST.
Vincent Marzan got 16 points and three rebounds, Gian Benzonan had 14, and Casingcasing scored 12 points and eight rebounds as lightning did not strike twice for him after muffing a triple which could have forced a second overtime.
Bismarck Lina collected 10 points and 13 rebounds before fouling out early in the extra time as the Tiger Cubs fell to 2-3.
The Scores:
Third Game:
NU 115 -- Abadiano 17, Fortea 16, Torres 13, Quiambao 10, Songcuya 10, Abiera 10, Gonzales 7, Alarcon 6, Vinoya 6, Buensalida 5, Javillonar 4, Enriquez 4, Dayrit 4, Felicilda 3, Mailim 0.
UE 43 -- Dichoso 9, Flores 7, Agbas 6, Almacen 6, Escamilla 5, Sullano 4, Dy Tioco 3, Alinsoring 2, Villarta 1, Tan 0, Lima 0, Gatdula 0, Santos 0, Tajonera 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarters: 27-10, 57-18, 92-30, 115-43.
Fourth Game:
ADAMSON 77 -- Ad. Doria 18, Capulong 17, An. Doria 14, Sabandal 8, Prodigo 6, Engbino 5, Santos 4, Hanapi 2, Barcelona 2, Dominguez 1, Nitura 0.
UST 74 -- Nonoy 20, Marzan 16, Benzonan 14, Casingcasing 12, Lina 10, Sumabat 2, Oliva 0, Manabat 0, Estrella 0, Amador 0, Dumlao 0, Dolendo 0, Gamboa 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-32, 53-43, 66-66, 77-74.