University of the East held off a late Ateneo de Manila University rally to secure an 84-76 victory and extend its winning streak to three games in the UAAP Season 89 16-and-under basketball tournament on Saturday at the DLSZ Sports Pavilion in Muntinlupa.
The Junior Red Warriors, who were coming off an 83-65 win over reigning silver medalists Far Eastern University-Diliman last Saturday, improved to 4-1 and moved to second in the standings.
Odrie Mallabo posted a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds, while Xerone Dizon led UE with 17 points and nine rebounds.
Kurt Mercado added 12 points and four rebounds, while Zion Aguilar finished with 10 points for the Junior Red Warriors.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, kahit sino naman ang kalaban namin, we don’t need to relax. Wala pang bilang ‘yung standings for now. It’s still our job to play the right way and play the way we wanna play,’” said head coach Paulo Hubalde.
UE took control early, building a 16-point lead at halftime, 49-33.
Ateneo mounted a comeback in the second half, cutting into the deficit before Karl Gandionco knocked down back-to-back triples to bring the Blue Eagles within five, 74-69, with 4:08 remaining.
The Blue Eagles stayed within striking distance down the stretch, but UE held on to secure the eight-point victory.
“Well, we’ll try to gather as many wins as we can. Hopefully, makuha namin pero unang-una magtatrabaho pa rin yung mga bata, at kailangan pa rin namin pagtrabahuhan para manalo,” Hubalde added.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Earlier in the day, University of Santo Tomas overcame a second-half deficit to outlast Adamson University, 82-76.
Mac Macasarte led the Tiger Cubs with a game-high 26 points and 12 rebounds, while Miguel Austria also posted a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
“Talagang pinaghihirapan nila sa ensayo yan. Kahit na ‘yung Macasarte may sakit, two days ’yan wala dahil may sakit. Pero pagbalik sa ensayo, same pa rin ‘yung intensity niya,” said head coach Noli Mejos. “Talagang masipag ‘yung mga bata na ‘yan. Do-double time talaga yan. Nage-extra talaga.”
The Baby Falcons erased an eight-point deficit in the first half and took a 55-48 lead midway through the third quarter.
UST answered by outscoring Adamson, 22-17, to close the period and reclaim the lead heading into the final frame.
Adamson regained the lead with five minutes remaining, but the Tiger Cubs responded with a 10-3 run behind Austria to take a 79-73 advantage before holding on for the victory.
“Tingin ko ngayon, maganda ‘yung execution namin sa offense. Pero hindi pa ako contented sa ginawa ng player dahil parang ang bagal ng reaction nila lalo na sa depensa,” Mejos added, with UST set to face the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws on September 29 at the Gameville Ball Park.
Adamson fell to 1-3, while Ateneo remained winless at 0-5.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Three Baby Falcons finished in double figures, led by Darren Sepnio with 16 points. Zach Caintic added 15, while Carl Espiritu chipped in 14.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
For Ateneo, Chris Llavore posted a double-double with a game-high 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Gandionco and Jayden Ylen added 14 points apiece.
The Scores:
First Game:
UST 82 – Macasarte 26, Austria 20, Anggot 9, Umbana 6, Eusebio 4, Bathan 4, Collado 4, Esusan 3, Cuello 3, Samaniego 2, Duenas 1, Retaga 0, Abototo 0, Cabañero 0.
AdU 76 – Sepnio 16, Caintic 15, Espiritu 14, Edrada 9, Bulan 8, Delos Santos 6, Gayatin 6, Chan 2, Timtiman 0, Cads 0, Maycong 0.
Quarterscores: 22-16, 42-44, 64-61, 82-76.
Second Game:
UE 84 – Dizon 17, Mallabo 13, K. Mercado 12, Aguilar 10, Roxas 7, Pontipedra 7, Delos Santos 6, J. Mercado 5, Velayo 4, Sena 3, Ancheta 0, Redulfa 0, Apostol 0.
Ateneo 76 – Llavore 27, Gandionco 14, Ylen 14, Molina 6, Saw 6, Dela Cruz 3, Dionisio 3, Dolera 2, Beley 1, Nuque-Bautista 0, Mabigat 0, Bayona 0, Shi 0, Lucero 0, Manlutac 0.
Quarterscores: 22-16, 49-36, 65-56, 84-76.
