OKEBATA POWERS UE PAST ATENEO FOR SECOND STRAIGHT WIN
By: Joaquin Cortez
The Strong Group-powered University of the East Junior Red Warriors dominated the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 96-69, to claim their second straight victory in the UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, November 5, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
UE improved to a 6-4 record, while Ateneo fell to 2-8.
MVP frontrunner Goodluck Okebata powered the Red Warriors with a commanding double-double performance of 25 points, 16 rebounds, and four steals, while Austin de los Santos contributed 13 points and six assists in the win.
“Consistency, that’s our motto ngayong second round,” said UE head coach Matt Sia. “We’re taking it one game at a time, but again, consistency—we need to be consistent on defense and offense.”
UE started hot with a 10-2 run capped by Okebata’s free throw. Ateneo countered with a 7-1 rally, but the Red Warriors held their ground and ended the opening quarter ahead, 21-13.
An and-one play from Okebata gave UE a seven-point cushion early in the second quarter, 39-32. From there, the Junior Red Warriors unleashed an 11-4 run, punctuated by Zion Aguilar’s one-legged triple at the buzzer to take a 52-38 advantage at halftime.
Ateneo’s Domeng Ngo hit back-to-back triples to trim the deficit to eight at the start of the third quarter, 52-44. But UE quickly responded with a 17-6 counterattack, capped by Sean Felizmenia’s mid-range jumper that stretched their lead to 71-50 heading into the final frame.
The Blue Eagles struggled to keep up in the fourth quarter as De los Santos drilled two consecutive three-pointers, ballooning the Red Warriors’ lead to 28 points, 90-62, to seal the deal.
UE capitalized on Ateneo’s miscues, forcing 21 turnovers and converting them into 27 points.
Juan Mallabo came off the bench with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Mark Perdigon and Felizmenia chipped in 11 markers apiece.
The Junior Red Warriors will look to extend their winning streak when they face the UP Fighting Maroons on Saturday, November 8, at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
