UE NOTCHES FIRST WIN IN MATT SIA ERA
By: Joaquin Cortez
University of the East secured its first win in their title-defense bid, soaring past Ateneo, 87-77, in the UAAP Season 88 junior high school basketball tournament at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
After a 22-point drubbing at the hands of the NUNS Bullpups last Sunday at QPav, the Junior Red Warriors leaned on team captain Goodluck Okebata, who spearheaded UE’s offense with 24 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks to guide head coach Matt Sia to his first victory at the helm.
“Finally, nakahinga na rin,” Sia said after the win. “Thankful lang talaga ako that we got this first win and hopefully magtuloy-tuloy na in the upcoming games.”
James Mesa started hot for the Junior Red Warriors, scoring the first eight of the team’s 13 points in the opening frame. Despite his early burst, UE still trailed at the end of the first period, 20-16.
Trailing 30-21, UE found their rhythm in the second frame, unleashing an 11-3 run highlighted by Mark Perdigon’s reverse baseline layup that cut Ateneo’s lead to 33-32.
After a nip-and-tuck stretch, Juan Mallabo’s layup tied the game at 40-all. Timely baskets, however, allowed Ateneo to maintain a slim advantage, with UE trailing 45-42 at halftime.
Ateneo continued to apply pressure in the third, outscoring UE 21-19. But a quick 5-0 burst by the Junior Red Warriors at the end of the quarter, capped by Perdigon’s putback, cut the Blue Eagles’ lead to three, 66-63.
UE stormed out of the gates in the final frame, as Okebata’s steal and layup gave the Junior Red Warriors a 68-66 advantage.
The team continued to capitalize on Ateneo’s missed opportunities with a 14-5 run, capped by Sean Felizmenia’s pull-up jumper that extended UE’s lead to 82-73.
Perdigon then buried a right-corner trey to silence Ateneo’s comeback hopes with 32 seconds left, sealing UE’s first victory.
As they prepare to face the UPIS Fighting Maroons on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum, UE head coach Matt Sia said he aims to improve their transition defense and rebounding.
“We need to improve on our transition defense and of course, ‘yong boxing out masama noong first half. We need to prepare for UP and go back to the drawing board.”
Perdigon finished with 14 points, Felizmenia added 13, while Mesa contributed a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double.
