Ateneo de Manila University handed archrival De La Salle-Zobel its first defeat in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament, securing a thrilling 72-64 victory on Sunday at the Adamson University Gymnasium.
The loss dropped the Junior Archers to a three-way tie with the Blue Eagles and the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs, who earlier defeated the Adamson Baby Falcons, 91-67, at 2-1.
This win served as a major morale-booster for the Blue Eagles, who were reeling from a 77-100 loss to the Tiger Cubs last Wednesday.
“I give credit to all the boys. When we lost to UST last Wednesday, you could feel during practice that they believed they had let something slip away,” shared Blue Eagles’ 16-and-under head coach Reggie Aromin.
“They were determined to get back on the winning track.”
Ateneo leaned heavily on a clutch performance from second-generation hooper Sky Jazul.
The Blue Eagles saw their once 16-point lead evaporate, as DLSZ took a 64-62 lead with 2:12 remaining, courtesy of a banked three-pointer from Vince Magan.
Zane Kallos quickly tied the game on the other end. Following a missed shot by Melvin Tailan, Jazul sank two free throws.
In the next possession, Kallos found Jazul for a drive-by three, extending Ateneo’s lead to 69-64 and stopping the Junior Archers’ momentum.
“I expect that from him. Big things are expected, and he’s a very good and respectful kid,” Aromin said of Sky, the 13-year-old son of PBA player and Letran legend RJ Jazul.
Sky, standing 5-foot-6, finished with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Kallos, son of former San Sebastian head coach John Kallos, led the Blue Eagles with 22 points, 21 rebounds, and six assists.
YJ Lacsamana and JD Juangco also contributed significantly, scoring 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Ram Luna paced the Junior Archers with 24 points and eight steals, but key players Melvin Tailan and Vince Magan struggled from the field.
Tailan managed just 13 points on 6-of-17 shooting, while Magan shot 5-of-19 for 12 points.
“They’re very talented players, which is why we give them so much respect. We just wanted to make sure they didn’t get easy looks,” said Aromin.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Jhon Canapi, meanwhile, continued his torrid start to the season, firing 32 points to go with eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals for UST.
Andwele Cabanero notched a double-double as well for the Tiger Cubs with 14 points and 11 assists.
The Baby Falcons, who fell to 0-3, were led by Chrys Gomez (16 points) and Craig Fongtong (13 points and 16 rebounds).
The Scores:
First Game:
UST 91 – Canapi 32, Cabanero 14, Jubilado 8, Javier 8, Balague 6, Villlacarlos 5, Batan 4, Lim 4, Aguilar 4, Guinto 3, Duenas 2, Guerrero 1, Castro 0.
ADU 67 – Gomez 16, Fongton 13, Iledan 11, Damaian 10, Fransman 7, Alcantara 5, Jordan 3, Banate 2, Jordan 0.
Quarterscores: 29-14, 46-30, 65-47, 91-67.
Second Game:
Ateneo 72 – Kallos 22, Jazul 21, Lacsamana 14, Juangco 12, Divinagracia 2, Ramos 1, Pineda 0, Ngo 0, Dela Rosa 0, Hwang 0, Bernarte 0.
DLSZ 64 – Luna 24, Tailan 13, Magan 12, Llamas 4, Centeno 4, Maglipon 3, Apao 3, Tan 1, Rivera 0, Purugganan I. 0, Purugganan E.
Quarterscores: 24-14, 38-34, 56-49, 72-64.
