UE STAYS UNBEATEN WITH DOMINANT WIN OVER NUNS
The University of the East (UE) Junior Warriors continued their impressive run in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament, cruising past the inaugural champion National University Nazareth School (NUNS) with an 89-64 victory on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
This victory marked UE's fifth consecutive win, allowing it to maintain an unbeaten record of 5-0 and take the lead in the tournament. From the opening tip-off, the Junior Warriors demonstrated their determination and skill, quickly establishing a commanding presence on the court. By halftime, UE had built a significant lead of 47-25, which they expanded to a staggering 68-36 by the end of the third quarter.
The team's balanced scoring was a key factor in their success, as five players reached double figures in scoring.
Tarlac native Jolo Pascual emerged as the standout performer for UE, leading the team with 21 points, complemented by five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Point guard Mav Mesina, just 14 years old and a returning member from last season, contributed significantly with a double-double of 13 points and 10 assists. Neil Garcia also made his mark on the game, adding 12 points to the Junior Warriors’ total.
Supporting the effort were Enrico Bungar and Gab Delos Reyes, both of whom chipped in with 10 points each, while Fil-Nigerian Goodluck Okebata showcased his versatility by scoring seven points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
UE head coach Andrew Estrella praised his team's performance, emphasizing their adherence to the game plan.
“Ginawa lang nila yung trabaho nila,” he stated. “What we did in practice and our game plan, they stuck to it.” He further noted, “It’s a total team effort talaga. Not only with the players but from the management, coaching staff—everyone is working hard. Every practice, talagang inaalagaan ng mga PTs namin yung mga players ko. That’s it. We just work as a team. Feel ko that’s the key to our success.”
Looking ahead, the Junior Warriors will aim for their sixth consecutive victory when they face off against Ateneo de Manila University this Wednesday at 9:45 a.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
