Expectations soared for the University of the East’s 16-and-under team entering the inaugural UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament.
In a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws in Season 86, the Junior Warriors had shown glimpses of potential with their depth, poise, and high ceiling.
Heading into Season 87, they felt determined to surpass their third-place finish.
And surpass it they did.
The Junior Warriors concluded the eliminations as the top seed, losing just once in 14 outings.
Their dominance carried over to the Final Four, where they dismantled defending champions National University-Nazareth School in an emphatic 85-64 victory on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, earning them a spot in the championship round.
At the center of this incredible campaign is second-year guard Mav Mesina, whose development has been instrumental in UE’s ascent.
Mesina’s standout performance in the Final Four showcased his value, as he tallied 19 points, five assists, three rebounds, and three steals.
He was pivotal in UE’s decisive 20-11 second-quarter surge, scoring 13 of his points during that stretch to give the Junior Warriors a commanding 54-36 halftime lead.
Reflecting on the team’s progress, Mesina credited their improved chemistry and collective mindset as key factors in their success this season.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Masasabi ko na this team is more complete. We know each other more – nagaamuyan na lang kami sa court. Yung mga pasa namin, nakikita niyo naman, well-distributed yung bola. Mas buo itong team na ito compared last year,” said the 14-year-old Claret School of Quezon City standout.
“Mas maganda team chemistry kumbaga kasi narealize namin na basketball can’t be a one-man show. It has to be a team effort talaga.”
Mesina also spoke about using past setbacks, including their Season 86 loss to FEU, as motivation heading into the Finals.
“Yung past few games ko was very good. Nakaka-boost din ‘yon ng confidence leading into the Finals. Gagamitin ko talagang motivation yung pagkatalo sa FEU,” the 5-foot-9 combo guard added.
“But we did it as a team talaga. Going into the Finals, we’re gonna prepare kung sino ‘man yung makakalaban namin, and we’re gonna be ready.”
Head coach Andrew Estrella echoed Mesina’s sentiments, emphasizing the team’s balance of experience and fresh talent as the driving force behind their stellar Season 87 performance.
“First, we have six holdovers. Naka-two years na sila sa amin na magkakasama. Kaya the system we have implied over the past two seasons, alam na alam na nila. We’re blessed na yung recruits na nakuha namin, nagcomplement sila sa mga veterans,” Estrella shared.
Key returnees like Mesina, Enrico Bungar, Ethan Oraa, and Neil Garcia provided leadership and stability. Meanwhile, promising newcomers such as Gab Delos Reyes, Jolo Pascual, Goodluck Okebata, and Jared Ferreros seamlessly integrated into the system.
As the Junior Warriors prepare for their championship matchup, the team’s journey exemplifies resilience, camaraderie, and a shared commitment to making history.
With Mesina and the rest of the squad firing on all cylinders, UE looks primed to secure its first-ever 16-and-under title in the UAAP.
