UE EDGES DLSZ IN THRILLER

By: Joaquin Cortez

The Strong Group-backed UE Junior Red Warriors outclassed the DLSZ Junior Archers in a nail-biter, 72-69, in the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament on Saturday, October 25, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Mark Perdigon emerged as the unsung hero of the game, drilling back-to-back clutch triples to help UE reclaim the lead with 28 seconds left and cap a decisive 12-3 rally, 70-66.

The Red Warriors bounced back from their previous loss to Adamson to improve to a 5-4 record, while DLSZ remained winless at 0-9.

Goodluck Okebata led UE with a dominant double-double performance of 26 points and 14 rebounds, while Austin de los Santos added 13 points and six assists. Perdigon also chipped in 12 points and four assists in the win.

Despite the victory, UE head coach Matt Sia was far from satisfied with his team’s performance after surviving a close call against the still-winless Junior Archers.

“To tell you the truth, I am not happy with our win,” said Sia. “One game at a time, and we’ll try to get all the wins we can and see what happens in the end.”

The opening quarter was tightly contested before Juan Mallabo’s layup gave UE a slim 18-16 lead to close the frame.

In the second period, Okebata’s layup stretched the Red Warriors’ advantage to five, 25-20, but DLSZ’s Lorenzo Purugganan responded with three consecutive triples to keep the Archers within striking distance, trimming the deficit to 34-33 at halftime.

DLSZ came alive in the third quarter as John Mindanao buried a three-pointer to give the Archers a 43-38 lead. The Junior Archers then unleashed a 10-0 run punctuated by back-to-back treys from Purugganan to establish a 10-point cushion entering the final frame, 55-45.

UE, however, refused to fold. De los Santos’ three-pointer cut the deficit to one, 55-54, early in the fourth before Perdigon and Okebata took over down the stretch.

In the dying seconds, DLSZ’s Isaac Purugganan committed a crucial turnover, allowing De los Santos to seal the deal with two clutch free throws that completed UE’s comeback, 72-69.

The Junior Red Warriors will aim to sustain their winning momentum when they face the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday, November 5, at the same venue.