UE JUNIOR WARRIORS EXTENDS UNBEATEN STREAK TO 8
The University of the East (UE) Junior Warriors continued their impressive run in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament, overcoming De La Salle-Zobel with a 79-70 victory on Wednesday. The win marked UE's eighth straight triumph, keeping them unbeaten through eight games.
Mav Mesina emerged as the hero for the Junior Warriors, delivering a stellar performance in the crucial moments of the game. The 5-foot-9 guard showcased his scoring prowess by sinking two consecutive three-pointers that dashed the upset hopes of the Junior Archers. Mesina finished the game with an all-around stat line of 18 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and two steals.
“This is a good win to start the second round. We expected this. For me, gustong-gusto ko yung mga ganitong situation because it’s another lesson for us,” said UE head coach Andrew Estrella after the game.
The Junior Warriors faced a tough challenge late in the contest, as a layup by DLSZ's Jayden Centeno gave the Junior Archers a brief 71-69 lead with just over three minutes remaining. However, UE quickly responded with a layup from Jolo Pascual, followed by Mesina's clutch three-pointers, extending their lead to 77-69 with only 1:21 left on the clock.
“After the first round, sabi ko sa kanila na that the second round will be different. They will be in different situations. Ito yung bagong situation. Naging ready lang sila ‘eh. I kept on reminding them na mangyayari at mangyayari ito so we had to be composed,” Estrella added.
In addition to Mesina, Pascual also made a significant contribution, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Neil Garcia provided solid support, scoring 11 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting, along with five rebounds, two steals, and an assist. Gab Delos Reyes narrowly missed a double-double, recording nine points, 15 rebounds, and a block, while team captain Enrico Bungar chipped in with seven points, four assists, four rebounds, and two steals.
