Despite a 14-day layoff, University of the East Junior showcased its trademark resilience, overcoming University of Santo Tomas in a thrilling 80-78 victory to stay unbeaten in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Junior Warriors were supposed to take on the NUNS Bullpups last Oct. 20 at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion but the game was rescheduled to Nov. 3 due to the USTET exam.
“We came from a two-week break, so medyo naghabol kami ng laro,” said Junior Warriors coach Andrew Estrella.
Unlike their commanding 69-51 win over the same Tiger Cubs team last September 8, the Junior Warriors had to dig deep this time around.
Gab Delos Reyes and Enrico Bungar led UE’s charge, helping the Junior Warriors stave off a fierce Tiger Cubs comeback powered by Dustin Bathan, who played a no-relief game and delivered an impressive 31 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
A dominant 20-12 third quarter gave UE the separation they needed, turning a one-point halftime lead into a 67-58 cushion heading into the fourth quarter.
However, UST did not go down easily, as Bathan’s personal nine-point run brought the game to a 78-all tie with just under two minutes remaining.
Delos Reyes ultimately clinched the win for UE, converting a go-ahead shot with 20.5 seconds left, while a missed layup by UST’s Jhon Canapi in the final seconds ensured the Junior Warriors’ ninth consecutive win and secured at least a playoff for the Final Four.
Bungar, though limited to 12 points, added seven rebounds and five assists, while Oraa chipped in 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Delos Reyes contributed significantly on both ends, finishing with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks.
The Tiger Cubs now have two weeks to regroup before their Nov. 13 matchup against NUNS, also at the same UST venue.
The scores:
UE 80 – Bungar 12, Oraa 11, Garcia 10, Delos Reyes 10, Mesina 9, Panganiban 7, Okebata 7, Pascual 7, Orca 4, Ferreros 3.
UST 78 – Bathan 31, Cabeñero 14, Jubilado 13, Canapi 10, Guerrero 7, Villacarlos 2, Castro 1, Lim 0, Javier 0, Balague 0.
Quarters: 27-23, 47-46, 67-58, 80-78.
