University of the East weathered a third quarter surge by Ateneo and emerged a 70-59 winner to inch closer to a first-round sweep in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fresh off a dominant wire-to-wire victory over inaugural champion NUNS, the Junior Warriors faced a tougher challenge this time around.
Ateneo’s resilience tested UE, particularly in the second half, but the Junior Warriors dug deep in the payoff period to secure a 6-0 record, maintaining their hold on the top spot in the eight-team field.
“Their composure was tested. For me, what happened, it will be very healthy for us. Itong season na ito, at least naramdaman nila yung different situations on how to stop that or paano makakarecover sa ganon na runs,” said Junior Warriors head coach Andrew Estrella.
Earlier, 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.
Leading by as many as 16 points midway through the third quarter, UE saw their advantage dwindle as Ateneo mounted a fierce 13-2 run to cut the lead to just three points, 52-49, heading into the final period.
However, the Junior Warriors responded with a decisive 14-2 counterattack, led by Kiefer Panganiban, Jared Ferreros, Enrico Bungar, and Ethan Oraa, to dash Ateneo’s comeback hopes and remain unblemished.
“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,” Estrella added as they take on the Adamson Baby Falcons for their final assignment for the round on Sunday, 8 a.m.
Enrico Bungar led the charge for the Junior Warriors 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.
Filipino-Nigerian Goodluck Okebata also contributed a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Bruce Tubongbanua also struggled offensively, managing just 10 points on 21.1-percent shooting but contributing with 17 rebounds, eight assists, and four blocks.
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.
Quarters: 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.
Quarters: 21-9, 40-20, 52-49, 70-59.
