The University of the East Junior Warriors got timely baskets from Kristoper Lagat as they defeated the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets, 73-70, in the UAAP Season 86 high school boys basketball tournament on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
The Junior Warriors, who led by as much as 14 points in the first half, found themselves trailing at 68-70 before they regained the lead at 71-70 on a Lagat triple.
The Blue Eagles, however, were not able to capitalize on their two opportunities to take the lead as the Junior Warriors secured the victory on two free throws by Lagat.
Lagat, a native of Pangasinan who transferred from Ednas School of Alaminos, finished with 16 points as the Junior Warriors secured their first win after starting the season with two losses.
Alejandro, who was recruited from New Life Christian School, showed the way for UE with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks, while Mark Jade Sarza chipped in 11 points.
“Right now, for us, a win is a win. Hindi sa amin uso yung statement game. Basta panalo, we are taking it. We still have to learn. First two games, we were controlling the first half, but we relaxed in the second half. It’s a bad habit that we have to fix,” said Junior Warriors head coach Karl Santos.
“As of now, ‘yung team namin, we have two holdovers. Everyone else, walang experience pa here in UAAP at galing sa province. Halo-halo ‘yung team namin kaya we are still building our chemistry,” he added.
Kris Porter, who produced 21 points, 14 rebounds, and five steals, led the Blue Eagles, who suffered their second straight loss, to fall to 1-2.
The post Kristoper Lagat’s timely hits propel UE past Ateneo in UAAP boys’ basketball first appeared on Fastbreak.
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