Camille Naredo

The UE Junior Warriors during their game against UPIS in the UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball tournament, January 26, 2025 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. UAAP Media

The UE Junior Warriors during their game against UPIS in the UAAP Season 87 boys' basketball tournament, January 26, 2025 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan

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UAAP Season 87

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737880190387UAAP87 JRS BASKETBALL - MARK CUEVAS, SIZCO ROQUID-0339.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The UE Junior Warriors during their game against UPIS in the UAAP Season 87 boys&#x27; basketball tournament, January 26, 2025 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. UAAP Media"/>The UE Junior Warriors during their game against UPIS in the UAAP Season 87 boys&#x27; basketball tournament, January 26, 2025 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. UAAP Media</div>MANILA -- University of the East roared back from its last setback, dismantling University of the Philippines Integrated School, 104-60, while De La Salle Zobel edged archrival Ateneo de Manila University in an overtime thriller, 73-65, to return to the win column of the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.The Junior Warriors wasted no time recovering from their 66-75 loss to defending champions Adamson University Baby Falcons last Thursday.On the other hand, Kieffer Alas carried La Salle-Zobel through regulation, before Bonn Daja stepped up in overtime to secure their second extra-period victory this season.With their bounce-back wins, UE and DLSZ improved to identical 2-1 records.&quot;Happy ako because nag-adjust at bumawi yung mga boys namin. Pero again, mataas yung expectations ko sa team na ito… Kami, tinalo kami ng UP last year, which was their only win. The only thing we have to do is respect the opponent,&quot; said UE head coach Karl Santos.UE set the tone early, racing to a 55-26 halftime lead behind the hot shooting of Kristoper Lagat and Lance Sabroso, who combined for 25 points in the first two quarters.The Warriors&#x27; blistering start overwhelmed the Maroons, who struggled with a 9-of-26 shooting clip and committed 15 turnovers in the opening half.UE weathered a third-quarter push from UP and sealed the deal with a 30-15 fourth-quarter blitz.The Junior Warriors shot an impressive 40-of-72 (55.6%) from the field and dominated the boards (40-29), assists (20-8), and steals (14-6).UE&#x27;s balanced attack featured eight players scoring at least eight points.Lagat led the charge with 14 points, including 4-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc, while Sabroso added 13 points, two assists, one rebound, and one steal.Louie Bual contributed 10 points, three steals, and two rebounds, with Xedric Diaz adding nine points and four assists.Ivorian center Jean Bana, Edry Alejandro, Kyle Timbol, and Mhico Abellar also chipped in solid performances to cap off the commanding win.In the other morning game, DLSZ relied on Alas and Daja to overcome a resilient Ateneo side in a nail-biter.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737880212068UAAP87 JRS BASKETBALL - KIEFFER ALAS-0980.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Kieffer Alas of De La Salle-Zobel celebrates against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 87 boys&#x27; basketball tournament, January 26, 2025 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. UAAP Media"/>Kieffer Alas of De La Salle-Zobel celebrates against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 87 boys&#x27; basketball tournament, January 26, 2025 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. UAAP Media</div>Alas scored eight of the Junior Archers&#x27; 13 fourth-quarter points, while Daja delivered clutch back-to-back and-one layups in overtime to secure the victory.&quot;We seem to like overtime games. Sana lahat ng games overtime kasi medyo good result lagi. It showed the heart of these guys. These guys and their resilience, that&#x27;s what propelled us to this win today,&quot; said DLSZ head coach Boris Aldeguer.Trailing 65-64 after a Ziv Espinas layup, Daja&#x27;s heroics gave DLSZ a 70-65 lead with just over a minute left in the extra period.Ateneo had opportunities to close the gap, but costly turnovers from Jay Leal and Lans Lagdamen allowed the Junior Archers to pull away.A game-sealing layup by Alas and a free throw by Ken Atienza cemented the win.Alas finished with a game-high 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block. Daja added 10 points, six rebounds, and two blocks, while Maco Dabao and Champ Arejola contributed eight points each.Ateneo and UPIS remained winless in three games, falling to 0-3 records.For UPIS, Jhustin Hallare tallied 17 points and eight rebounds, while Nathan Egea and Jaime Gomez de Liaño chipped in 13 points apiece. However, their efforts fell short against UE&#x27;s relentless assault.Ateneo&#x27;s Leal led the Blue Eagles with 14 points, six rebounds, and one steal.Espinas posted a double-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, five steals, and two assists as Chris Urbina, Ateneo&#x27;s leading scorer in their previous game, was limited to 11 points on 4-of-17 shooting but contributed seven rebounds and three assists.<div>The Scores:</div><div>First Game (Boys):</div>UE (104) - Lagat 14, Sabroso 13, Bual 10, Diaz 9, Alejandro 9, Bana 9, Timbol 8, Abellar 8, Aguas 4, Roquid 4, Almanza 4, Chua 3, Farochilen 3, Lorenzo 2, Dahino 2, Cuevas 2.UPIS (60) - Hallare 17, Egea 13, Gomez de Liaño 13, Tubongbanua 7, Melicor 5, Pascual 3, Addatu 2, Coronel 0, Hernandez 0, Gepitan 0, Cobico 0, Rosete 0, Uvero 0, Poquiz 0.Quarterscores: 30-16, 55-26, 74-45, 104-60.<div>Second Game (Boys):</div>DLSZ (73) - Alas 22, Daja 10, Dabao 8, Arejola 8, Borrero 6, Espinosa 6, Thailand 4, Favis 4, Mben 2, Gubat 2, Atienza 1, Reguera 0.Ateneo (65) - Leal 14, Espinas 12, Urbina 11, Ymasa 8, Lagdamen 6, Tan 4, Lacsamana 4, Reyes 3, Kallos 2, Delos Santos 1, Asistio 0.Quarterscores: 15-17, 32-33, 48-44, 61-61, 73-65.

With their bounce-back wins, UE and De La Salle-Zobelimproved to identical 2-1 records.

With their bounce-back wins, UE and De La Salle-Zobelimproved to identical 2-1 records.

UAAP: UE, La Salle-Zobel back on track in boys' hoops

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UAAP: UE, La Salle-Zobel back on track in boys' hoops

ABS-CBN News

Published January 26, 2025 04:37 PM PHT

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