RAFAEL Labao shot 17 points and led the University of the Philippines Integrated School Junior Maroons to a 91-87 upset of the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.
Labao joined hands with Matt Santiago and King Vergeire as the Junior Maroons posted the day’s biggest reversal in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines Junior Basketball Tournament.
The Junior Maroons fought their way out of 19-point deficit in the fourth period and into their second triumph in nine outings.
Their efforts spoiled the big effort of MVP candidate CJ Cansino, who had 29 points, 18 rebounds and two blocks for the Tiger Cubs.
Santiago’s two charities in the dying seconds allowed the Junior Maroons to escape with their biggest win this season.
The Tiger Cubs, with Russell Dolendo making 15, now have a 5-4 win-loss record in their second game in the second round.
This put them within reach of the defending champion Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws and the Adamson Baby Falcons.
The Baby Tams and the Baby Falcons share fourth with their 4-4 cards.
Kobe Palencia and Jezreel Villapando knocked in 12 points for the Tiger Cubs, who will try to bounce back against the Nazareth School-National University Bullpups this Saturday.
The Junior Maroons, who forced UST to 28 turnovers, will have La Salle Zobel as their next opponent.
