UE Junior Red Warriors Force Game 3 with Gritty Fourth-Quarter Performance Against UST Tiger Cubs
UE advances UST to a decisive showdown in the UAAP junior basketball championship final
In a nail-biting finish, the UE Junior Red Warriors snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, edging out the UST Tiger Cubs 76-70 in Game 2 of the UAAP junior high school basketball finals at the Araneta Coliseum on December 15. The series is now heading for a deciding Game 3 on December 20.
The Junior Red Warriors showcased their resilience in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Tiger Cubs 23-14 to clinch the win. Head coach Andrew Estrella rallying his troops, urging them not to repeat the last-year's loss against UST, saying, "They don't want to lose against UST again."
Mav Mesina led UE with 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Neil Garcia added 13 points and 10 boards. In the closing minutes, with the game tied at 70-all, Mesina and Garcia drained crucial free throws to put UE in the driver's seat.
UST started the fourth quarter with a 5-point lead but struggled to maintain their momentum as UE went on a 15-8 run, taking a 68-66 lead after a Jolo Pascual two-pointer. The Tiger Cubs tied the game again on a Miguel Jubilado jumper, but the Junior Red Warriors responded with an eight-point streak to seal the victory.
Jubilado and Canapi each scored 21 points for UST, with Dustin Bathan contributing 20. Unfortunately, no other Tiger Cubs managed to score in double digits. The game also saw UST playing without guard Nickson Cabanero for most of the matchup following a disqualification foul in the first quarter.
The Junior Red Warriors outrebounded UST 69-46, but their 16 turnovers proved costly, seven more than the Tiger Cubs. Despite this, the Junior Red Warriors demonstrated the grit and determination needed to take the series to a decisive Game 3.
Season 87 of UAAP saw both UE and UST making history. UE ended a 39-year basketball title drought, while UST broke a 24-year dry spell in the junior high school boys division[4].
Fans can catch the winner-take-all Game 3 on December 20. For more insights and discussions about this game, head to the sports chat room of the our website Communities app, available on iOS, Android, or web.
The UE Junior Red Warriors demonstrated their prowess in basketball once again, clinching a close victory against the UST Tiger Cubs in Game 2 of the UAAP junior high school basketball finals, setting the stage for a thrilling Game 3 on December 20. Mav Mesina, a key player for the Junior Red Warriors, scored 21 points, leading his team to victory despite the 16 turnovers they committed.
