THE University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Junior Maroons took charge in the third period and subdued the La Salle Zobel Junior Archers, 64-56, and shook the standings yesterday for their first win in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Junior Basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.
Rookie Allen Torres joined hands with veteran Ralph Labao as the Junior Maroons earned their first triumph in the second round, and improved their win-loss record to 1-7.
With their 3-5 card, the Junior Archers’ chance of reaching the Final Four semifinals is now in question.
They have slipped into fifth, behind the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs, who drew 27 points from Mark Nonoy in crushing the University of the East Junior Warriors, 85-63.
The Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws, with JB Sajonia shooting 21 points, prevailed over the Adamson Baby Falcons, 80-72, to improve their slate in second spot at 6-2.
Overall, it was UPIS’s first win in 11 games, and after the Junior Maroons, beat La Salle-Zobel, 71-69, last year.
The 5-11 Torres shot 13 off 22 points in the third period, including a triple and two charities that put the Junior Maroons out of a 41-all deadlock in the last 1:22.
Forcing turnovers and taking control of the boards in the closing minutes of the third, the Junior Maroons moved out of range in the remaining 21 seconds off Labao’s attacks, 50-41.
Labao went on to make 11 of 18 points in the third canto.
“We had a good start especially on defense. La Salle Zobel has good players who can contribute in offense. But we were able to control the rebounds and extra possesions,” said Junior Maroons coach Paolo Mendoza.
Jac Macasaet unloaded 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Junior Archers while Lance Jomalesa had 15 points and 16 boards.
