Clark Khobutin registered the first triple-double in the UAAP Season 88 junior basketball tournament yesterday, leading the National University Nazareth School (NUNS) to a 93-82 victory over Adamson University at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
He posted 17 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals, and one block as the Bullpups rolled to their fifth straight win.
Khobuntin’s triple-double performance was the tournament’s fourth after University of Santo Tomas’ Andwele Cabañero delivered 20 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a 105-71 victory over Ateneo de Manila University on November 27, 2024.
“We still need to improve our defense. For us, it all starts with the defense. That’s what we have to polish heading into the next game,” said NUNS head coach Leo Pujante.
The score was tied at 23-all at the end of the first quarter before Khobuntin, Mark Arzola, Nick Peña and Dean Tria joined hands to give NUNS a 60-40 lead at halftime.
Allison Jordan sank a triple and Vengs Vengco scored on a layup as the Baby Falcons cut the lead to 65-79 with six minutes remaining in the third quarter.
But the Bullpups pulled away at 87-68, with Moussa Diakite scoring six straight points, with four minutes left to play.
Diakite led NUNS with 20 points and eight rebounds, followed by Arzola with 18 points, six assists, five steals and two rebounds.
David Sabareza made 15 points, two steals and two rebounds while Peña had 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.
“Basketball is a team game, it shouldn’t be just one person to win. Moussa [Diakite] still really needs a backup like him. Not only Clark, but all of them have to perform. That’s what I’m telling them; don’t rely on Moussa,” Pujante said.
Kieff Iledan had 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Fran Flores chipped in 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists, five steals, and two blocks for Adamson, which placed third in the standings with a 3-2 record, behind defending champions University of the East and Far Eastern University-Diliman, who have identical 3-1 cards.
In the other game, Ateneo de Manila clobbered University of the Philippines Integrated School, 87-40, to secure its second win in five outings for sixth place.
The Fighting Maroons are winless after five games. (PNA)