UST extends UPIS winless run to eight

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Standings

UE 8-0

FEU-D 6-2

UST 5-3

DLSZ 4-4

NUNS 4-4

Ateneo 4-4

AdU 1-7

UPIS 0-8

Games on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena

10 a.m. - FEU-D vs Ateneo (JHS)

12 p.m. - DLSZ vs AdU (JHS)

3:30 p.m. - AdU vs Ateneo (Men)

6:30 p.m. - UP vs UE (Men)

PLAYING at its home floor, University of Santo Tomas came out firing, setting the tone on its 90-59 conquest of University of the Philippines Integrated School in the UAAP Season 87 Juniors High School Basketball Tournament, Saturday morning at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The backcourt duo of Jhon Canapi and Andwele Cabañero commanded the Tiger Cubs’ 29-11 first frame, scoring 10 and eight points, respectively, to outscore the Junior Fighting Maroons by themselves.

Although UPIS matched UST’s scoring in the second period, the Tiger Cubs’ rampage continued in the third quarter, 28-14, to establish a massive 32-point lead heading into the final frame with the score of 75-43.

“Mas happy ako today kesa sa first game namin against UPIS na hirap na hirap kami. Maganda ‘yung naging response ng mga player ko this game,” said UST head coach Noli Mejos, recalling its 87-53 win over UPIS in the first round where his team needed a second quarter barrage to take control.

“Kung puwede lang, home court kami palagi mas okay ‘yun,” he added in jest as they played comfortable at their home gym. “Talagang dito kami nagti-training, talagang advantage talaga. Puwede ba i-request yun na dito na lang palagi?”

Canapi scored 30 points on an impressive 10-of-16 shooting from the field and grabbed six rebounds for the Tiger Cubs, who improved to 6-3 at solo third.

Cabañero produced another near-triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, while Miguel Jubilado and Dustin Bathan contributed 11 and nine points, respectively.

UST’s next game will be on October 30 against the still-unbeaten University of the East at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Jhustin Hallare made 25 points, eight assists, and six rebounds as UPIS remained winless in nine outings.

Bruce Tubongbanua added 17 points and 16 rebounds but him, along with Hallare, continue to look for aid from their Junior Fighting Maroons teammates.

UPIS’ pursuit for its first win continues next Saturday against National University Nazareth School, also at the Pasay venue.

The Scores:

UST 90 - Canapi 30, Cabañero 16, Jubilaso 11, Bathan 9, Castro 8, Lim 4, Javier 4, Balague 2, Yu 2, Duenas 2, Guerrero 2, Villacarlos 0, Aguilar 0, Guinto 0.

UPIS 59 - Hallare 25, Tubongbanua 17, Addatu 7, Repane 3, Gepitan 2, Cobico 2, Rosete 2, Poquiz 1, Lugatiman 0, Labao 0, Baldovino 0, Manguerra 0.

Quarterscores: 29-11, 47-29, 75-43, 90-59.