La Salle-Zobel sweeps first round

MANILA, Philippines - Rampaging De La Salle-Zobel waylaid National University, 69-49, to sweep the UAAP Season 74 juniors basketball first round hostilities yesterday at the Blue Eagle gym.

Axel Torres punctured in 14 points along with eight rebounds and three steals as the Junior Archers sustained their fiery charge, heralding their serious bid to stop the four-peat campaign of Ateneo this season. 

Gabby Reyes added 14 markers and Renzo Subido made nine points and grabbed four rebounds for DLS-Z, which is looking to capture its first diadem since Simon Atkins and his crew brought the crown to their Alabang campus in 2007.

The Junior Archers ripped the game apart with a third-quarter assault that pushed them unassailably ahead at 47-27 to beat the Bullpups (4-3), who were led by Ralph Atangan’s 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists and Paul Baliton’s 12.

Unexpectedly sharing the day’s spotlight were the struggling University of the East Junior Warriors who followed the lead of their senior team in registering their first win after a 0-6 start.

The Junior Warriors clawed back from a 44-59 deficit to force extension, then outsteadied University of the Philippines-Integrated School in the extra period to score a morale-boosting 72-71 overtime triumph.

Jesh Sumang fired 19, Ralph Lapada shot 18, Joshua Viajar scored 16 and Ricardo Mandilag notched 13 along with 13 rebounds to lead UE to the breakthrough victory that brought memories of the Warriors’ long-coming win no. 1 over in seniors play.

The Junior Maroons were the only winless team (0-7) halfway through the tourney.

Meanwhile, Far Eastern-Nicanor Reyes Educational Foundation drew 11 points from Jerie Pinoy and 10 from Jose Domingo to shellack Adamson , 60-52, and finish the first round at No. 2 with 6-1.

The Baby Falcons (4-3) were bannered by William Polican’s 12, followed by Angelo Quinlog’s 10.