Chad Cartel of NU-Nazareth celebrates after a clutch play against UST in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball Finals, March 13, 2025 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. UAAP Media

MANILA -- National University-Nazareth School is one win away from redemption in the UAAP boys' basketball tournament.

The Bullpups pulled away for a 77-70 victory against University of Santo Tomas in Game 1 of their best-of-3 Finals series, Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre, to move on the brink of claiming the Season 87 championship.

Chad Cartel was the hero for NU-Nazareth, as he came up with the pivotal plays after Senegalese forward Racine Kane brought UST within four points, 72-68, with an and-one play.

The 18-year-old Cartel responded with a long jumper, before setting up Mac Alfanta for a crucial basket that extended NUNS' lead to 76-70 with 1:41 remaining.

UST had several opportunities to turn the tide, but four costly missed free throws from Kane and Buenaflor in the final four minutes, combined with missed three-point attempts by Wacky Ludovice and Kane in the closing seconds, denied them the chance to inch closer to ending their 24-year title drought.

Aside from their strong offensive finish, the Bullpups' defense proved pivotal, limiting the Tiger Cubs to just eight points on a dismal 3-of-14 shooting in the final period to secure the win.

"Very crucial itong panalo sa Game 1. Makuha natin itong Game 1, maganda yung advantage natin coming into the next game [at] yung advantage, nandoon din. Ma-address ko lang yung credit ko sa mga bata, kita naman natin nung fourth quarter, talagang trinabaho nila para makuha nila itong panalo," said Bullpups head coach Kevin de Castro.

With the result, the Bullpups have avenged their lone loss of the season -- a 56-76 loss to UST last March 6 that denied them an outright Finals berth. They are also just one win away from claiming their eighth UAAP boys' basketball title -- and De Castro's first championship -- since Season 82 in 2019.

NO SWEEP: Tiger Cubs rout Bullpups, force traditional Final 4

History favors the Bullpups, with seven of the previous nine Game 1 winners -- and nine of the last 11 -- ultimately securing the championship.

"May proper mindset dapat kami coming into Game 2. 0-0 ang utak namin next game. Job's not done yet hangga't hindi namin nakukuha yung second win para sa championship. We'll be ready, alam namin yung UST malaking adjustments yung gagawin, magpe-prepare yan sa amin at for sure hindi yan papayag sa'min sa Game 2. Pero we'll be ready, dodoblehin or ttriplehin namin yung ginawa namin today," De Castro added.

Reigning MVP Collins Akowe posted a dominant double-double -- his first in three games -- with 24 points, 22 rebounds, two assists, and one block, while Cartel contributed 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting with four rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Despite struggling offensively (14 points on 5-of-21 shooting), Alfanta added seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Napa chipped in nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc with one rebound, one assist, and one steal.

READ: UST girls clobber NU-Nazareth again, one win away from crown

Collins Akowe of NU-Nazareth in action against UST in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball Finals, March 13, 2025 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. UAAP Media

Meanwhile, the Tiger Cubs find themselves in a must-win situation as they look to force a winner-take-all Game 3 after faltering in their first Finals appearance since Season 73 in 2010.

Kane paced UST in the defeat with 25 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, three steals, and two assists, while Buenaflor contributed 15 points and seven rebounds. Carl Manding added 12 points -- nine from free throws -- along with four rebounds, two steals, and one assist.

UST's lead guards, co-captain Kirk Cañete (five points on 2-of-6 shooting) and Gilas Youth standout Ludovice, struggled to find their rhythm. Ludovice was held scoreless with four turnovers but contributed three assists and two rebounds.

The Bullpups aim to complete their redemption campaign when Game 2 tips off next Thursday, March 20, at the same San Juan venue.

The Scores:

NUNS (77) – Akowe 24, Alfanta 14, Cartel 14, Napa 9, Palanca 7, Locsin 6, Pillado 3, Matias 0, Nepacena 0, Usop 0, Solomon 0, Natinga 0, Figueroa 0.

UST (70) – Kane 25, Buenaflor 15, Manding 12, Esteban 6, Cañete 5, Acido 3, Bucsit 2, Cinco 2, Ludovice 0, Solon 0, Vidanes 0.

Quarterscores: 23-23, 38-36, 63-62, 77-70.