The top-seeded UE Junior Red Warriors advanced to the first-ever UAAP junior high school basketball finals after pummeling the NU Bullpups, 85-64, at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, December 4.
Mav Mesina led UE with 19 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals, while Jolo Pascual had 12 points in a balanced offensive outing for the mighty Warriors.
“The boys executed the game plan. I don’t have to wish for more. They stuck with the game plan from start to finish,” said UE head coach Andrew Estrella.
“I was looking for consistency throughout the second round and I got it today from them,” he added.
The Junior Red Warriors dominated the first half, leading 54-36 at halftime to seize control and never look back, sealing the lopsided win.
Big Mac Tadeo topped NU with 17 points, while Chester Tulabut added 11, but it all went for naught for the fourth-seeded Bullpups.
In the second game of the double-header, the UST Tiger Cubs leaned on the heroics of duo Nickson Cabañero and Jhon Canapi to fend off the FEU Baby Tamaraws, 84-75, and force a do-or-die game in the inaugural staging of the tournament this UAAP Season 87.
Canapi put up 26 points, including two triples down the stretch, to save UST from disaster after conceding FEU a 14-4 start in the fourth quarter.
Dustin Bathan and Nickson Cabanero also contributed 15 points apiece, while Gab Castro and Miguel Jubilado added 14, and 11 markers, respectively, for the third-seeded Tiger Cubs.
“We prepared well. We adjusted well. I think it was luck that the win was given to us,” said UST head coach Noli Mejos in Filipino.
Tied 71-all, the Tiger Cubs sparked a 13-4 finishing run, built on four three-point makes to propel the UST to the all-important win.
“The boys were really prepared for this. They go the confidence during the game and they delivered for us,” Mejos added.
FEU led 23 points built on five three-pointers, while Prince Carino recorded a double-double of 13 markers and 14 rebounds in the losing effort.
The second-seeded Baby Tamaraws struggled to find their offensive groove as star CP Miranda came out cold, shooting 1-of-11 from the field to finish with just five points.
UE now waits for the winner of the FEU-UST rubber match on Sunday, December 8, at the Araneta Coliseum to determine the finals cast.
First Game
UE 85 – Mesina 19, Pascual 12, Ferreros 11, Garcia 11, Delos Reyes 11, Oraa 6, Panganiban 5, Bungar 4, Orca 4, Okebata 2, Dalosa 0.
NUNS 64 – Tadeo 17, Tulabut 11, N. Peña 7, Quinto 7, Sabareza 6, Y. Peña 6, Khobuntin 5, Vitug 3, Reroma 2, Urea 0, Toring 0, Gutierrez 0, Maranan 0.
Quarters: 24-17, 54-36, 67-50, 85-64.
Second Game
UST 84 – Canapi 26, Cabañero 15, Bathan 15, Castro 14, Jubilado 11, Balague 2, Guerrero 1, Villacarlos 0.
FEU-D 75 – Lopez 23, Cariño 13, Pasinos 10, Santos 9, Miranda 5, Enriquez 5, Dulin 3, Pingris 2, Lassiter 2, Diaz 2, Victoria 0, Pineda 0, Barlan 0.
Quarters: 19-23, 41-38, 67-57, 84-75.
– Rappler.com
