The University of the East Junior Warriors leaned on their free throw connections in the endgame to defeat the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs, 76-70, in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School basketball Finals on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Down 68-70 with over a minute left, the Junior Warriors took advantage of the Tiger Cubs’ penalty situation as Mav Mesina, Neil Garcia, and Gab delos Reyes connected their free throws to secure the win.
Mesina led the way with 19 points, Garcia added 13 markers, and Delos Reyes had a double-double of 11 points and 21 rebounds as UE tied the best-of-three title series at 1-1.
Junior Warriors head coach Andrew Estrella stated that he was relieved that they pull off a Game 2 victory and still have a chance of ending the school’s 39-year UAAP basketball title drought across all divisions.
“Right now, we are just thinking about the present. Siyempre, nandiyan ‘yung other stuff na matagal na walang basketball championship and UE. That’s our motivation,” Estrella said after the game.
Jhon Canapi and Miguel Jubilado finished with 21 points apiece, while Dustin Bathan added 20 markers for the Tiger Cubs, which lost Andwele Cabañero early in the game due to ejection.
The post UE survives UST, forces do-or-die Game 3 in UAAP JHS basketball first appeared on Fastbreak.
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