BY MARK REY MONTEJO
Christmas came early for University of the East.
That’s because the UE Junior Warriors ended 39 years of futility in devastating style, mowing down the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs, 78-47, to clinch the Season 87 juniors basketball title in front of their alumni and fans at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Friday, Dec. 20.
After a tight affair in the opening minutes, the Junior Warriors turned on the jets in the second half to hike their lead to 33, 72-39, enough to take the fight out of the Nickson Cabanero-less Tiger Cubs and claim their first championship in any basketball division since 1985.
In that year, Filipino basketball legends Allan Caidic and Jerry Codiñera bannered the squad under the tutelage of coach Jimmy Mariano, who guided UE to the Promised Land twice in a row.
It was also UE’s first-ever top podium finish in the juniors category since 1981.
“Finally, after how many years. It’s important for the school and the program. As I’ve said before, this would be enough for the puntahan kami ng mga players,” said rookie coach Andrew Estrella. “All of the teams namin sa basketball, puntahan na.”
“It’s a perfect game. The boys wanted it. They delivered. Sa game plan namin, hindi sila bumitaw. In short, they wanted the championship and here it is,” he added.
UE leaned on its balance attack with all of its players contributing on the scoresheet led by Ethan Oraa and Enrico Bungar which had 13 and 11 points respectively
But Gab Delos Reyes took the spotlight, bagging the Finals MVP plum after registering 9.3 points, 14.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks for UE in three games of their finals duel against UST.
He helped the brave and bold junior Red Warriors recover from a 98-84 Game 1 loss with a 76-70 Game 2 victory.
“Siyempre po ngayong Game 3, hindi namin inisip na wala si (Andwele) Cabanero. Naglaro lang kami ng tama at sinunod lang yung coaches,” said Delos Reyes.
Leading UST’s offensive charge were Dustin Bathan and Jhon Canapi, who cashed in 16 and 11 points, respectively, in a losing cause as Cabanero was suspended due to his Game 2 ejection.
The scores:
UE 78 – Oraa 13, Bungar 11, Ferreros 9, Pascual 8, Orca 8, Garcia 7, Delos Reyes 6, Panganiban 6, Mesina 5, Dalosa 3, Okebata 2.
UST 47 – Bathan 16, Canapi 11, Jubilado 7, Javier 5, Villacarlos 4, Castro 2, Balague 2, Lim 0, Guerrero 0.
Quarters: 15-15, 34-23, 54-32, 78-47.