Defending champion University of the East and University of Santo Tomas bolstered their UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Basketball Final Four bids after dispatching separate opponents, Wednesday morning, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
MVP frontrunner Goodluck Okebata powered the Junior Warriors’ wire-to-wire 96-69 triumph over a Sky Jazul-less Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles squad with a dominant double-double of 25 points and 16 rebounds, on top of four steals, two assists, and one block.
Meanwhile, the Tiger Cubs rediscovered their winning form with a lopsided 121-54 rout of the University of the Philippines Integrated School Fighting Maroons.
With the results, UE climbed into a tie for fourth place with Adamson University at 6-4, while UST seized solo third at 7-3 in the eight-team field. National University Nazareth School (10-0) and Far Eastern University-Diliman (8-2) remained entrenched at the top two spots in the standings.
Behind a strong third-quarter surge and the collective efforts of Okebata, Hero Delos Santos, and Juan Mallabo, the Junior Warriors notched back-to-back wins.
They also completed an elimination-round sweep of the Blue Eagles — building on their 87-77 first-round victory last September 24.
“It’s very important yung consistency, pero we’re taking it one game at a time. But again, consistency. We have to be consistent on defense and on offense, and I am just happy we had 22 assists. Kulang pa, but we’ll grow from there,” said UE head coach Matthew Sia.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Ateneo tried to stay within striking distance early in the third period as Domeng Ngo drilled back-to-back triples to cut the deficit to 52-44. But the Junior Warriors responded with a blistering 21-8 run behind Okebata, Sean Felizmenia, and Mark Perdigon, taking a commanding 73-52 lead entering the final quarter.
The Blue Eagles opened the fourth with an 8-1 rally to trim the gap to 74-60. Then Okebata’s steady scoring and four consecutive triples from Perdigon and Delos Santos quickly restored UE’s dominance, stretching the lead to 90-62 with 3:33 left to play — effectively sealing the deal.
Delos Santos finished with 13 points, 11 of which came in the second half, alongside six assists, five rebounds, three steals, and one block.
Mallabo contributed 12 points and eight boards, while Perdigon and Felizmenia added 11 points each in a balanced effort.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the other game, CJ Tabbuga erupted for 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting, along with nine rebounds, four steals, three assists, and one block.
Meanwhile, Rowie Cabañero flirted with a triple-double of 20 points (9-of-10 shooting), 11 assists, five rebounds, and four steals to lead UST past UPIS.
The Tiger Cubs — who also dominated UPIS, 114-61, on opening weekend last September 21 — created a one-game cushion over the Junior Warriors and Baby Falcons (6-4) with the victory.
“Prepare pa rin kami, especially sa next game namin kasi medyo mabigat ang FEU-D. Kailangan namin ipanalo kasi number two sila sa standings para mas lalo gumanda yung positioning namin,” said UST head coach Noli Mejos.
UST set the tone early, riding the hot hands of Tabbuga, Cabañero, and Dave Regala for a 29-12 opening quarter before closing the half with a dominant 65-26 advantage.
The Tiger Cubs stayed in full control in the third, unleashing a 30-10 blitz through the efforts of Cabañero, Tabbuga, Mat Demata, and Gab Castro, ballooning their lead to 97-38 heading into the fourth period.
Their 67-point winning margin was the largest in UAAP junior high school basketball since the NUNS Bullpups’ 110-40, 70-point blowout of the Baby Falcons in Season 86 last March 10, 2024.
Regala posted 13 points and 12 rebounds with two blocks, while Castro chipped in 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal. Jubilado rounded out the balanced attack with 11 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
For Ateneo, Ngo tallied 18 points, three rebounds, and one steal, while JD Juangco added 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and one steal as the Blue Eagles fell to their fifth straight loss for a 2-8 record.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For UPIS (1-9), John Addatu led with 16 points and six rebounds, while Zandro Lugatiman contributed 14 points, six boards, and one steal in the losing effort.
The Scores:
First Game:
UE (96) – Okebata 25, Delos Santos 13, Mallabo 12, Perdigon 11, Felizmenia 11, Aguilar 6, Roxas 5, Mesa 4, Mercado 4, Pontipedra 3, Ancheta 2.
Ateneo (69) – Ngo 18, Juangco 11, Dela Rosa 10, Bernarte 7, Castro 5, Ylen 5, David 3, Divinagracia 2, Fresnido 2, G. Yoro 2, Saw 2, M. Yoro 2, Llavore 0, Cayabyab 0.
Quarterscores: 21-13, 52-38, 73-52, 96-69.
Second Game:
UST (121) – Tabbuga 22, Cabanero 20, Castro 13, Regala 13, Jubilado 11, Guinto 9, Datu 6, Villacarlos 6, Bathan 6, Demata 6, Retaga 5, Duenas 4.
UPIS (54) – Addatu 16, Lugatiman 14, Labao 9, Rosete 7, Poquiz 5, Floirendo 3, Manguerra 0, Okebata 0, Baldovino 0, Sebastian 0, Bautista 0.
Quarterscores: 29-15, 65-26, 97-38, 121-54.
