The conclusion of another heartbreaking campaign in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament for the University of the East carried more weight than just another missed chance at a breakthrough Final Four appearance.
It also marked the end of an era.
UAAP Season 88 was the final year of Strong Group Athletics’ three-year commitment to the UE high school basketball program — a partnership that delivered a championship when the Junior Warriors, then led by head coach Andrew Esterella, ruled the Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament in December 2024.
It also represented the last UE team backed by Strong Group Athletics, following the conclusion of its two-year support for the women’s volleyball program from Seasons 86 to 87, which produced stars like Casiey Dongallo and Jelai Gajero.
Despite the sting of missing the postseason once again, finishing fifth with a 5-9 record, head coach Karl Santos reflected on lessons that went far beyond a Final Four appearance or individual accolades.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Siyempre, gusto namin mag-end up with a win, lalo na ito yung pinaka-bonded naming team. So, kahit sabihin natin masakit, we did not make it to the Final Four and kinapos yung ultimate goal namin ng mag-champion, happy na rin ako na na-end up namin ng panalo,” Santos said after UE closed Season 88 with a win over Adamson University last Sunday, March 8, at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
For Santos, the greatest takeaway from the three-year partnership was the bond the team built — something that will extend well beyond the hardwood amid the uncertainty surrounding the program.
More than dwelling on the fact that the Junior Warriors fell short of the Final Four despite having a core of Ethan Aguas, Sizco Roquid, Drei Lorenzo, and Gab Delos Reyes, Santos emphasized that preserving the relationships formed throughout the season mattered most.
“Again, I think this is the most bonded team. So, sirain yung relasyon namin para sa isa’t isa dahil sa season na ito will not help us. Ang amin lang, chinerish na lang namin yung moments na magkakasama kami. And hoping na yung seniors namin, nakatulong kami sa seniors namin towards sa preparation nila for college,” Santos said.
After enduring another challenging campaign marked by the graduation of Lorenzo, Jamal Diaz, Ivorian center JM Edoukou, Louie Bual, and Kyle Timbol, Santos highlighted that Final Four appearances and championships are not the sole measure of a program’s success.
For the third-year UE head coach, the main vision when his staff took over in Season 86 was to develop players at the grassroots level and prepare them for the next chapters of their basketball careers.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Ang akin lang, I’m wishing lang may players na kahit hindi kami nanalo ngayon, natulungan namin sila in preparation for the next stage. Whether sila ay nasa college, yung mga returnees namin, maraming silang matututuhan dito. Kami naman, coaches, it’s not all about winning ang trabaho,” Santos shared.
“Ako, personal goal ko is just to help my boys achieve their dreams. So ako, happy na ako doon kung mag-succeed, yung makuha nila yung, sorry, maging maayos sila pagdating dun sa next level. Whether UAAP juniors or seniors.”
The Junior Warriors will close the year with the wildcard draw of the 2026 SMART-NBTC National Finals later this month, then participate in the Season 88 3×3 boys’ basketball tournament in April.
The team will cap things off by representing the National Capital Region at the 2026 Palarong Pambansa in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, scheduled for May 24–31.
