A cold shooting day and early struggles in the season could not stop 16-year-old guard Ram Luna from shining when it mattered most for De La Salle Zobel.
Luna’s timely perimeter shooting in the final moments of the game propelled the Junior Archers to a 79-74 victory over the winless UPIS Fighting Maroons on Wednesday morning at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
His clutch performance helped DLSZ stay in solo fourth place with a 5-5 record in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament, securing a one-game cushion over the reigning champions, the NUNS Bullpups, for the fourth seed.
With 3:30 left on the clock and DLSZ holding a slim 68-65 lead, Luna drained back-to-back triples, a floater, and a layup to extend the Junior Archers’ lead to 78-68 with less than two minutes remaining.
Before his late-game heroics, the 5-foot-9 guard had struggled, shooting just 5-of-18 from the field and missing both of his three-point attempts.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“I just remained confident lang. Last game kasi, off-night ako, tsaka my coach did not stop motivating me. Sabi nila, tumira lang ako ng tumira, and just be confident in myself to hopefully win today,” the La Salle Lipa product bared.
“Naging confident lang talaga ako and discipline, tsaka nakinig ako kay Coach Penny [Laureaga] and his advices,” he continued.
Luna’s clutch baskets not only kept DLSZ in the Final Four race, but also allowed him to step up for his senior teammates, who were struggling in the closing minutes of the game.
UPIS’ defense was heavily focused on co-captains Melvin Tailan and Vince Magan, who have been key players for DLSZ throughout a turbulent Season 87 campaign.
This pivotal moment will serve as a huge confidence booster for the young Luna, who aims to continue his stellar play and help secure the Junior Archers’ second consecutive semifinals berth in the tournament.
“Very happy kasi unang-una, first year ko ito ngayon. Kaya it’s nice to feel that aside from my older teammates na magagaling din, I have the ability to step up and shine rin in the clutch. Need ko lang talaga pagkatiwalaan yung sarili ko,” the Lipa, Batangas native revealed.
“Positive kami na magfa-final four kami this season, ‘yun talaga yung goal namin,” he concluded.
