University of the East edged closer to an elimination round sweep, while Far Eastern University secured the second Final Four ticket in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Junior Warriors moved two games away from the first-ever eliminations sweep in the division with a runaway 95-65 win against the UPIS Fighting Maroons.
Meanwhile, the Baby Tamaraws tallied their third consecutive win with a 78-61 victory against Season 86 finals archrival NUNS Bullpups to become the second team to enter the postseason.
With an average winning margin of 19 points through its 12-game streak, UE’s aspirations to sweep the eliminations will now face stiff challenges from Adamson University and FEU.
“Hindi pwede na may slow starts kami ‘eh. Dapat we have to play consistent as I’ve said. We’re in the latter part of the season and everything should be taken into consideration na small mistakes would lead you to losing. We just have to play consistent kasi all the teams will fight for their lives to beat us,” UE head coach Andrew Estrella said.
Mav Mesina, Enrico Bungar, Ethan Oraa, and Jolo Pascual joined hands for the Junior Warriors’ late 12-5 run to close the second period, turning a slim 33-26 lead to a comfortable 14-point advantage, 45-31, at the half.
While UPIS trimmed its deficit to as low as eight points in the third period, UE responded with a bristling 27-4 run to open the payoff period, taking a game-high 33-point cushion, 95-62, to seal its 12th consecutive win.
This win was similar to the 91-44 first-round beatdown of the Junior Warriors against the Fighting Maroons last September 14.
Neil Garcia led the five UE players who scored in double figures with 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting to go along with four rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Pascual tallied 12 points, six steals, and five assists.
The scores:
UE 95 – Garcia 16, Pascual 12, Bungar 12, Panganiban 11, Ferreros 10, Mesina 9, Oraa 9, Orca 7, Delos Reyes 6, Dalosa 2, Okebata 1.
UPIS 65 – Tubongbanua 25, Hallare 22, Cobico 7, Addatu 6, Labao 3, Rosete 2, Poquiz 0, Repane 0, Baldovino 0, Gepitan 0, Lugatiman 0, Manguerra 0.
Quarters: 25-20, 45-31, 68-58, 95-65.
