UAAP: UE boys on verge of first round sweep in jr HS hoops

Action between Ateneo and UE in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. UAAP MediaMANILA -- University of the East is a game away from sweeping the first round of the UAAP Season 87 junior high school basketball tournament.

The Junior Warriors weathered a third quarter charge by the Ateneo Blue Eagles for a 70-59 win on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum to improve to 6-0 in the competition.

Enrico Bungar led the charge for the Junior Warriors, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while also posting a game-high plus-22 rating in just under 28 minutes of action. 

But they were pushed by the Blue Eagles, who trimmed a 16-point deficit to just three, 52-49, heading into the final quarter thanks to a 13-2 scoring blast.

The Junior Warriors were ready to respond, however, and uncorked a 14-2 run of their own to dash Ateneo's hopes of a come-from-behind win.

"I'm happy with the position we're in right now. For me kasi, it's one game at a time. We only prepare for the team na kung sino makakalaban namin. Every game demands full preparation for us," said UE coach Andrew Estrella.

"Their composure was tested. For me, what happened, it will be very healthy for us," he also said.

Filipino-Nigerian Goodluck Okebata contributed a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Zane Kallos, son of former Adamson Lady Falcons and San Sebastian head coach John Kallos, led Ateneo with 19 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and four steals. 

Sky Jazul, who had been averaging 16.0 points, 4.75 assists, and 2.25 steals through five games, was limited to just eight points on 3-of-8 shooting but still managed five assists and five steals.

The Blue Eagles dropped to 3-3, tied with De La Salle-Zobel for a share of fourth place.

UE can complete a first round sweep on Sunday against Adamson University.

Action between UST and UPIS in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. UAAP MediaIn another game, University of Santo Tomas rebounded with a commanding 87-53 victory over the University of the Philippines Integrated School to take solo third in the standings. 

Andwele Cabañero spearheaded the Tiger Cubs' fourth win in six outings, with a double-double of 27 points and 17 rebounds, adding four assists and two steals. Jhon Canapi, the 2024 Junior MPBL 14-and-under MVP, chipped in 21 points on 5-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc.

Jhustin Hallare, who started the game with a division-record 18 points in the first quarter, was held in check by UST's defense for the remainder of the game. He ended with 25 points on a tough 2-of-14 shooting clip in the final three quarters. 

Bruce Tubongbanua also struggled offensively, managing just 10 points on 21.1-percent shooting but contributing with 17 rebounds, eight assists, and four blocks.

The Fighting Maroons remained winless in six outings.

THE SCORES:

First Game

UST (87) – Cabañero 27, Canapi 21, Bathan 9, Guinto 8, Lim 7, Castro 6, Jubilado 4, Villacarlos 3, Balague 2, Duenas 0, Yu 0, Guerrero 0, Javier 0, Aguilar 0.

UPIS (53) – Hallare 25, Tubongbanua 10, Gepitan 6, Cobico 4, Poquiz 3, Rosete 3, Addatu 2, Manguerra 0, Labao 0, Repane 0, Lugatiman 0, Baldovino 0.

Quarterscores: 25-29, 48-32, 63-42, 87-53

Second Game

UE (70) – Bungar 17, Okebata 11, Delos Reyes 10, Oraa 8, Garcia 8, Mesina 6, Panganiban 4, Ferreros 4, Orca 2, Pascual 0.

Ateneo (59) – Kallos 19, Lacsamana 11, Jazul 8, Juangco 6, Ngo 5, Molina 4, Bernarte 2, Pineda 2, Ramos 2, Velte 0, Meresen 0, Dela Rosa 0, Divinagracia 0, Ylen 0, Fernandez 0, Hwang 0.

Quarterscores: 21-9, 40-20, 52-49, 70-59