UE falls to NUNS in Matt Sia's coaching debut

By: Joaquin Cortez

The debut of Sia as head coach for the defending UAAP Season 86 high school boys' basketball champions, the UE Junior Red Warriors, turned out to be a rough start.

The reigning champions absorbed an 86-62 defeat at the hands of the NUNS Bullpups on Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Sia assumed the head coaching role less than a week ago, replacing Andrew Estrella, who left UE to bring his coaching pedigree to the Letran Squires in the NCAA.

The Strong Group-backedJunior Red Warriors struggled to find their rhythm early in the season. NUNS quickly built a 13-point lead to close the first quarter, 28-15, and extended their advantage to 21 in the second period. UE attempted to fight back with a 10-0 spurt, highlighted by a James Mesa layup putback off a missed free throw, trimming the deficit to 11, 38-27.

However, timely baskets from Sean Felizmenia and Jayson Mercado kept the Bullpups in control, and UE entered halftime trailing 50-32.

The third quarter saw the Junior Red Warriors continue to struggle offensively, getting outscored 21-9 and falling into a 29-point hole, 70-41, heading into the final frame. A brief spark came from Austin de los Santos in the fourth, who scored five quick points, but NUNS maintained control and closed out a 24-point victory.

Despite the loss, UE received strong individual performances from Goodluck Okebata, who led the team with 15 points and nine rebounds, and James Mesa, who added 10 points and eight boards.

For NUNS, Moussa Diakite paced the team with 15 points and nine blocks, while Mark Arzola added 14. David Sabareza and Nick Peña contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively. The Bullpups also dominated the bench, outscoring UE’s reserves 49-21.

The UE Junior Red Warriors will look to rebound when they face the Ateneo Blue Eagles at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Wednesday, Sept. 24.