Red-hot Junior Warriors clinch UAAP title

MANILA, Philippines — The University of the East captured its first hoops title in 39 years, blasting Santo Tomas with a 78-47 masterclass in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 junior high school basketball finals yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The Junior Warriors completed a reverse sweep after a 98-84 defeat in Game 1 to snap a long drought since the glory days of legends Allan Caidic, Jerry Cordiñera, and Boysie Zamar, who won the UAAP men’s championship for UE in 1985 (Season 48) under coach Jimmy Mariano.

UE had a longer futility in the high school ranks, last winning the division in 1981 (Season 44) with Codiñera leading the way anew under the watch of coach Gabriel Reyala.

A bevy of new heroes rose to the occasion this time around led by Finals Most Valuable Player Gab delos Reyes, following his three-game averages of 9.3 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks in the series.

The former ace of San Beda-Alabang had six points, 16 rebounds and three blocks in Game 3 that served as an encore to UE’s series-tying 76-70 win in Game 2 to keep its title bid alive.

And the Junior Warriors did behind the solid coverages of Ethan Oraa and and Enrico Bungar with 13 and 11 points, respectively.