University of the Philippines Integrated School survived University of the East in overtime, 101-94, to mark the return of UAAP high school boys basketball tournament after three years, Sunday morning at the Filoil Ecooil Centre in San Juan.
The Junior Maroons banked on a plethora of hands in extra period with Basty Jacob, Marcus Raymundo, Jonas Napalang, Rocco Melicor, and Kobe Demisana all producing to earn the hard-earned win in their first game of Season 85.
In Season 82, the last time a high school tourney was held, UPIS only won one game — its last match against, coincidentally, UE as well.
“‘Yung panalo namin masaya dahil since 2020, iniintay po namin ito especially sa kagaya ni Kobe na rookie, first time niya to experience this. [We] wanted it more,” said Junior Maroons head coach Paolo Mendoza.
Demisana, a 6-foot-8 big man, lived up to the hype in his first game in the UAAP with 17 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks, four assists, and two steals while being a plus-24 in his 29 minutes of action.
Jacob led UPIS with 19 points, nine rebounds, and four steals, while Daryl Valdeavilla (18), Napalang (17), and Melicor (16) rounded out the double-digit scorers.
JD Malonzo had 15 points for the Junior Red Warriors while Andrei De Leon and Drei Gragasin chipped in 13 points apiece.
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas bucked a slow start to down De La Salle Zobel, 56-46.
The Tiger Cubs flexed their might after the halftime break to turn a 17-26 deficit into a 38-all deadlock heading into the fourth.
And in the payoff period, it was all UST as it outscored the Junior Archers, 18-8, with James Jumao-as leading the way as he finished with 17 points and four rebounds.
“Natutuwa ako sa mga graduating namin nag step up sila like si James Jumao-as, JP Pangilinan, si Mark Llemit,” shared Tiger Cubs head coach Jinino Manansala.
JP Pangilinan and Charles Esteban also had 10 points apiece for UST while Rhyle Melencio top-scored for DLSZ with 13 points to go with 12 rebounds.
The games pitting Ateneo High School and Far Eastern University-Diliman and Nazareth School of National University and Adamson University are still ongoing as of publishing.
The Scores:
First Game:
UPIS 101 — Jacob 19, Valdevilla 18, Demisana 17, Napalang 17, Melicor 16, Raymundo 9, Villaverde 3, Cordero 2, Mendoza 0.
UE 94 — Malonzo 15, De Leon 13, Gragasin 13, Caldit 9, Morales 9, Pangilinan 8, V. Reyes 8, Gatchalian 5, Duque 4, Bagro 3, F. Reyes 3, Isip 2, Flores 2, Roldan 0, Ramos 0.
Quarterscores: 20-18, 40-47, 69-70, 86-86, 101-95.
Second Game:
UST 56 — Jumao-as 17, Pangilinan 10, Esteban 10, Llemit 7, Bucsit 6, Pantaleon 6, Ayon 0, Velasquez 0, Miaco 0, Buenaflor 0, Tesocan 0, Manding 0, Naron 0.
DLSZ 46 –– Melencio 13, San Agustin 9, Alas 9, Dimaano 7, Melecio 4, Espina 2, Pabellano 2, Sta. Maria 0, Chang 0, Cruz 0.
Quarterscores: 8-15, 17-26, 38-38, 56-46.
