LADY luck continues to smile upon NU-Nazareth School after it squeaked out a second straight one-possession win, outlasting Far Eastern University-Diliman, 59-57, Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Collins Akowe pounded in 24 points and 21 rebounds, stretching his double-double streak to eight in as many games, as the Bullpups also extended their unbeaten run in UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball.
Akowe carried the blue-and-gold to a 49-37 edge early in the final frame before Marc Burgos and Liam Salangsang fronted the Baby Tamaraws' charge to just down two, 57-59, with 27 seconds remaining.
After another defensive stop, FEU-Diliman had a golden opportunity to force overtime - or even win the game - only to see MVP frontrunner Cabs Cabonilas take too long to make a decision, with his floater missing the mark in the dying moments.
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No other player wound up in double-digits for NUNS, which nonetheless remained alone atop the leaderboard.
"Ito yung sinasabi ko sa mga bata na mahirap manalo sa second round. Na-test yung maturity namin. Thankful pa rin na binigay sa amin yung panalo, but we are not yet satisfied," said head coach Kevin de Castro.
Remaining right behind the Bullpups is University of Santo Tomas which made quick work of De La Salle Zobel, 76-58.
Koji Buenaflor and Racine Kane feasted down low, with the former collecting 23 points and six rebounds and the latter contributing 14 markers and 10 boards. That was more than enough to overcome an off-shooting day from lead guard Joaqui Ludovice who had just five points alongside four turnovers.
Simply boasting of more firepower, the Tiger Cubs went on a 24-11 third quarter tear to turn a close one-point game at halftime into a rout that eventually ended as their seventh straight win after a season-opening loss.
Kieffer Alas had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Jr. Archers who ran out of gas in the second half to suffer their fourth straight loss, putting them out of the playoff picture now at 3-5.
The Baby Tamaraws, meanwhile, still hold the third seed with a 5-3 record. Burgos led the losing effort with 19 points, five steals, and four rebounds, as Cabonilas was slowed down to just 10 markers, seven boards, three assists, and three pilfers.
Chase for No. 4
Sharing the fourth spot are defending champion Adamson and UE following contrasting decisions.
The Baby Falcons had to dig deep and stand strong to ward off Ateneo, 58-57.
Mark Esperanza did it all, as always, with 13 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and three steals, as Earl Medina, Johnrey Abayon, and Allan Perez chipped in 12 markers apiece to make sure Adamson leveled its standing to 4-4.
Sporting the same slate are the Red Warriors who kept the University of the Philippines Integrated School reeling, 85-72.
Lance Sabroso showed the way with 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Edry Alejandro also added 12 markers, five boards, and two steals in UE's back-to-back wins.
The Blue Eagles (1-7) and the Jr. Maroons (0-8) are still stuck at the rear.
The Scores:
First Game
ADAMSON 58 - Esperanza 13, Medina 12 , Abayon 12, Perez 12, Sajili 4, Umali 3, Decatoria 2, De Jesus 0, Tumaneng 0, Artango 0, Matiliano 0.
ATENEO 57 - Urbina 12, Leal 12, Lagdamen 11, Tan 9, Gatmaitan 9, Delos Santos 2, Lacsamana 2, Asistio 0, Reyes 0, Silvestre 0, Ymasa 0.
Quarters: 12-16, 26-33, 42-41, 58-57.
Second Game
UE 85 - Sabroso 14, Alejandro 12, Lagat 9, Bana 9, Timbol 6, Almanza 6, Lorenzo 5, Bual 5, Diaz 4, Diaz 4, Aguas 4, Cuevas 4, Dahino 4, Farochilen 4, Abellar 1, Chua 0, Roquid 0.
UPIS 72 - Egea 18, Tubongbanua 18, Melicor 15, Gomez de Liano 12, Hallare 6, Coronel 1, Uvero 0, Poquiz 0, Hernandez 0, Cobico 0, Pascual 0
Quarters: 26-19, 47-36, 68-49, 85-72.
Third Game
UST 76 - Buenaflor 23, Kane 14, Manding 9, Esteban 8, Acido 7, Bucsit 6, Ludovice 5, Canete 2, Cinco 2, Solon 0, Bohol 0, Javier 0, Bandingan 0, Vidanes 0.
DLSZ 58 - Alas 20, Dabao 11, Daja 8, Atienza 7, Espinosa 4, Gubat 3, Dimayuga 3, Borrero 2, Arejola 0, Alpapara Jo. 0, Reguera 0, Lopez 0, Mben 0, Tailan 0, Favis 0, Alpapara Ja. 0.
Quarters: 20-17, 36-35, 60-46, 76-58.
Fourth Game
NUNS 59 - Akowe 21, Locsin 8, Alfanta 8, Palanca 8, Cartel 5, Matias 5, Napa 2, Nepacena 2, Usop 0, Figueroa 0, Solomon 0, Pillado 0.
FEU-DILIMAN 57 - Burgos 19, Salangsang 14, Cabonilas 10, Raneses 8, Godoy 4, Hall 2, Gemao 0, Pascual 0, De Guzman 0, Santos 0, Castillejos 0.
Quarters: 20-8, 29-27, 46-37, 59-57.
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