MANILA – National University Nazareth School (NUNS) demolished De La Salle-Zobel, 91-69, to notch its second straight win in the UAAP Season 87 boys basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Thursday.

Reigning MVP Collins Akowe delivered 21 points, 21 rebounds, four assists and two blocks for the Bullpups.

“It's a great win for us but of course, the season doesn't end there. Then our next game is quite a challenge, FEU-D (Far Eastern University Diliman). Coming into this game, let's take these first two games, so that when the third game against FEU comes, we will have a good start," said NUNS head coach Kevin de Castro after the game.

Akowe starred in an 18-7 run that gave the Bullpups a 50-30 lead at halftime.

Alnhumaeri Usop sank three triples, while Joush Natinga and Joje Matias had one each as NUNS posted its biggest lead at 89-59.

Ivler Napa had 13 points while Carl Alfanta and Usop added chipped in 11 points each.

Miguel Palanca contributed eight points and two assists, while Jid Locsin of Iloilo debuted with six points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block.

Bon Daja scored 21 points while Kieffer Alas had 17 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and two steals for the Junior Archers.

In the other game, defending champion Adamson University defeated University of the East, 75-66.

The 6-foot-7 Allen Perez had a career-high 19 points on top of seven rebounds in leading the Baby Falcons.

Earl Medina contributed 17 points, six rebounds and five steals; Mark Esperanza had 15 points and six assists; and Gabe de Jesus made 12 points and seven rebounds.

“We’re relieved because we got our first win of the season. It just goes to show that the team is still erratic because the feeling is we’re still longing for a leader. Of the four we lost, three are the leaders. This season, they're trying their best to be the leaders of the team,” Adamson head coach Mike Fermin said.

Among the key players from last season's title run are Tebol Garcia and Vince Reyes.

Jean Bana scored on a layup and Kristoper Lagat made two free throws as UE closed in at 62-64 before Adamson held an 11-0 run behind Medina, Esperanza and Sanir Sajili to post a 75-62 advantage with 1:29 left.

Bana finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and two steals for UE, followed by Lagat with 14 points.

Ethan Aguas had 10 points, four rebounds and two steals, while Cyrehl Alejandro added six points and eight rebounds. (PNA)