De La Salle-Zobel continued its impressive run in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament with a 97-82 victory over Adamson University on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, securing the early lead in the competition.
Following their first win against National University Nazareth School, the first victory over the Bullpups since Season 78 in 2016, the Junior Archers relied on a dominant second-half performance to keep the Baby Falcons winless in the 16-and-under tournament.
After a 36-36 tie at halftime, Melvin Tailan and Vince Magan spearheaded DLSZ’s explosive 35-point third quarter, establishing a 71-52 lead.
This momentum carried the Junior Archers into the final period with a commanding advantage.
In the fourth quarter, a three-pointer from Magan, two free throws from Duncan Tan, and a layup by Tailan pushed De La Salle-Zobel to a game-high 88-65 cushion.
“Ginamit lang namin yung springboard ng panalo last game. The problem is, medyo naging complacent sila nung first half, kaya binawi namin sa second half,” said Junior Archers head coach Penny Laureaga.
Tailan mirrored his performance from the previous game against NU with another stellar 27-point game, adding 10 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals to his name.
Co-captain Magan also delivered a strong performance, contributing 25 points, seven assists, and three steals.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Jhon Canapi broke the tournament record, dropping 35 points in University of Santo Tomas’ decisive 100-77 win over Ateneo de Manila University.
Canapi broke the UAAP Junior High School basketball tournament scoring record previously set by his teammate, Andwele Cabañero, who had scored 34 points against DLSZ back on April 24, 2024.
“Minotivate ko yung mga players as preparation for this game kasi yung opening game namin, ang sama talaga, sabog-sabog laro namin,” said UST head coach Noli Mejos. “Doon sa first game namin, nagkanya kanya kami ‘eh. Last game, five assists lang kami, ngayon 24 na.”
With the win, UST bounced back from a 69-51 opening-day loss to University of the East to even its slate.
UST had four other Tiger Cubs in double figures: Miguel Jubilado with 17 points, Cabañero with 16, Dustin Bathan with 13, and Gab Castro with 12.
YJ Lacsamana led the 1-1 Ateneo with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks, while JD Juangco added 14 points.
Zane Kallos, who delivered 21 points and 21 rebounds in Ateneo’s 76-42 win over University of the Philippines Integrated School last Sunday, was held down to nine points and eight rebounds. The son of former San Sebastian head coach John Kallos still dished out nine assists.
Dan Damaian and Chrys Gomez led Adamson with 19 and 16 points, respectively.
The Scores:
First Game:
DLSZ 97 – Tailan 27, Magan 25, Luna 10, Apao 9, Tan 7, I. Purugganan 6, Llamas 5, Centeno 4, Maglipon 3, E. Puruggunan 1, Fuentes 0, Rivera 0, Webb 0, Mindanao 0, Sorongon 0
ADU 82 – Damaian 19, Gomez 16, KE Jordan 13, Iledan 13, Banate 10, Azurias 7, Fongtong 2, Alcantara 2, Fransman 0, KA Jordan 0, Tiamzon 0
Quarterscores: 12-10, 36-36, 71-52, 97-82
Second Game:
UST 100 – Canapi 35, Jubilado 17, Cabañero 16, Bathan 13, Castro 12, Guerrero 5, Aguilar 2, Balague 0, Yu 0, Lim 0, Guinto 0, Duenas 0, Villarcarlos 0, Javier 0
ATENEO 77 – Lacsamana 19, Juangco 14, Kallos 9, Jazul 9, Molina 8, Ngo 7, Ramos 6, Divinagracia 3, Bernarte 2, Pineda 0, Ylen 0, Hwang 0, Valte 0, Meresen 0, Dela Rosa 0
Quarterscores: 26-22, 57-45, 83-64, 100-77
