High school teams battle in finals to represent Philippines in NBA Rising Stars Invitational

It's once in a lifetime.

The National University Nazareth School (NUNS) Bullpups coach Kevin de Castro constantly reiterated the importance of the opportunity to win it all in the NBA Rising Stars Invitational Philippines Qualifiers, they head to the finals this Saturday, May 10, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bullpups will take on UAAP Season 87 rivals University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Tiger Cubs in the boys division finals.

"Gaya ng sinabi ni Jeremy Sochan nung first day, sinabi niya na etong opportunity na 'to, once in a lifetime lang. Actually, first time, so you have to enjoy it lang. 'Yun 'yung sinasabi ko sa kanila," de Castro said as he spoke of the San Antonio Spurs star who headlined the tournament.

[ALSO READ: Hitting that barrier? San Antonio Spurs' Jeremy Sochan shares advice when going gets tough] 

Meanwhile, the NUNS Lady Bullpups will face the La Salle College of Antipolo (LSCA) Voyagers in the girls division.

"Masaya po kami, pero 'di pa po kami satisfied," said Lady Bullpups' Aubrey Lapasaran after their 2-0 record in the pool games. "Gusto namin, kami mag-represent sa Philippines 'dun sa Singapore."

[ALSO READ: NUNS dominates NBA Rising Stars Invitational Philippines Qualifiers pool games] 

The winners of the Philippines Qualifiers will then represent their schools at the NBA Rising Stars Invitational, the league’s first regional high-school basketball tournament, which will feature boys’ and girls’ teams from 11 countries and territories across Asia-Pacific competing in Singapore from June 25-29 as part of a multiday immersive basketball and entertainment festival.

Girls division: NUNS Lady Bullpups vs LSCA Voyagers | 1:30 p.m.

It's a battle of David vs Goliath.

Without a doubt, the Lady Bullpups have been formidable in the competition. They went 2-0 in the three-team field with comfortable leads against LSCA (98-36) and against St. Paul College of Pasig (70-30).

Aubrey Lapasaran and Zaydhen Rosario were consistent in double-digit scoring in both games, while the whole team ensured they can convert points off turnovers and create second-chance points.

In the finals, the Voyagers would have to dig deep to give the Lady Bullpups a dogfight.

Expected to lead the charge is point guard Krizzy Eustaquio, who erupted for 27 points in their close game against SPCP. She would need more help though, as each of the Voyagers were held to single digit scoring against the Lady Bullpups.

The girls' finals will begin at 1:30 p.m.

[ALSO READ: LSCA delivers thriller, NUNS takes revenge in NBA Rising Stars Invitational-PH Qualifiers] 

Boys Division: NUNS Bullpups vs UST Tiger Cubs

And then, they meet again.

The UST Tiger Cubs lifted the UAAP Season 87 boys basketball trophy after fending off the NUNS Bullpups in three games.

But things are different in the NBA Rising Stars Invitational Philippines Qualifiers, with mostly the junior high school players taking on the challenge.

And this time, NUNS is the team to beat with a 3-0 record in pool play.

[ALSO READ: UST, NUNS off to winning start in 2025 NBA Rising Stars Invitational-Philippines qualifiers] 

The Bullpups fended off the Ateneo de Davao (ADD) Blue Knights 67-52, overwhelmed UST 75-49, and dominated Sacred Heart-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles 82-56.

Andre Mann, Shaun Lucido, and Rob Celiz are the must-watch players for NUNS with their consistent double-digit scoring. Mann even went off for six-of-nine triples against Cebu.

Meanwhile, UST would have to shake off that rough game against NUNS in pool play and find a way around their bigger opponents at the post. The Tiger Cubs are expected to lean on Basketball Without Borders Asia alumnus Joaquin Ludovice, along with John Canapi and Lorenz Cinco to stay alive and give the Bullpups a challenge.

The boys' finals will be at 5:00 p.m.

The games will be aired LIVE on One Sports, NBA TV Philippines, and the Pilipinas Live app.