UAAP: La Salle-Zobel returns to Final 4, overpowers Ateneo

MANILA — De La Salle-Zobel celebrated its return to the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys’ 16-and-under Basketball Tournament with an 84-55 demolition of Ateneo de Manila University, Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Junior Archers clinched their semifinals berth thanks to University of Santo Tomas’ loss to the University of the East earlier in the day.

The big win against Ateneo capped their remarkable turnaround from a winless Season 88 campaign with their seventh victory in eight games. Zobel improved to 9-3 to remain in contention for a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.

“We feel great. I mean, definitely nice knowing that we have the Final Four secured. But I think we still have a chance to see how the standings will play out so we’ll still have to work these last games out,” said La Salle head coach Hyram Bagatsing.

The Junior Archers imposed their defensive pressure early, limiting the Blue Eagles to just six first-quarter points while building a commanding 24-6 lead.

Ateneo managed to trim the deficit to 44-30 at halftime, but DLSZ broke the game wide open in the third quarter, extending its advantage to 73-42 heading into the final period.

With James Enriquez leading the charge, the Junior Archers stretched their lead to as many as 37 points to complete the dominant victory.

Enriquez paced DLSZ with 17 points, seven rebounds, and three steals, while Rye Villaruz chipped in 16 points and eight rebounds.

Mikko Noel added 11 points and four rebounds for the Junior Archers, who will next face UST on November 8 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum as they continue their push for a top-two finish.

The Blue Eagles, already eliminated from Final Four contention, fell to 1-11 and will face the NUNS Bullpups in their penultimate elimination-round game on November 14.

Diego Nuque-Bautista led Ateneo with 14 points and four rebounds, while Spencer Saw contributed 12 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

Earlier, UE leaned on a balanced offensive attack to withstand Miguel Austria’s monster double-double and outlast UST, 96-87, moving within a win of securing a Final Four berth.

They improved to 7-5. The Junior Red Warriors now hold a two-game cushion over the fifth-running Tiger Cubs, with both teams having two games remaining, putting UE on the brink of securing the final semifinal ticket.

Austria posted 30 points, 19 rebounds, six steals, four assists, and two blocks for UST in the loss.

Austria and Mac Macasarte briefly swung the momentum in UST’s favor, combining to give the Tiger Cubs a 55-51 lead with six minutes remaining in the third quarter.

However, Kurt Mercado and Jaden Roxas answered with timely baskets to restore UE’s control. The Junior Red Warriors carried a 71-63 advantage into the fourth quarter and protected their lead down the stretch to secure the crucial victory.

Jameson Sena led UE with 20 points, while Roxas finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Xerone Dizon added 13 points and eight rebounds, while Odrie Mallabo also scored 13 points and grabbed nine boards.

UE will look to clinch its Final Four berth against the UPIS Junior Fighting Maroons on November 11 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. However, a UST loss before then would also guarantee the Junior Red Warriors a semifinal spot.

The Tiger Cubs, meanwhile, slipped to 5-7 despite 21 points and seven rebounds from Macasarte and 20 points, six assists, and four rebounds from Eldon Eusebio.

Nathan Bathan chipped in 11 points for UST, which must win its remaining two games and hope UE loses both to force a tie for fourth place.

The Tiger Cubs must first get past the Junior Archers on November 8 to keep their Final Four hopes alive.

UE 96 — Sena 20, Roxas 19, Dizon 13, Mallabo 13, Ancheta 8, K. Mercado 8, Aguilar 5, Redulfa 5, Delos Santos 5, Velayo 0, J. Mercado 0.

UST 87 — Austria 30, Macasarte 21, Eusebio 20, Bathan 11, Abototo 4, Cabanero 1, Collado 0, Umbana 0, Cuello 0, Anggot 0, Esusan 0.

Quarterscores: 20-13, 45-40, 71-63, 96-87.

DLSZ 84 — Enriquez 17, Villaruz 16, Noel 11, Santiago 9, E. Purugganan 7, Paceno 6, I. Purugganan 5, Mercado 4, Tabu 4, Dizon 2, Quillo 2, Buenafe 1, Dela Lara 0, Montes 0, Francisco 0, Stehmeier 0.

Ateneo 55 — Nuque-Bautista 14, Saw 12, Llavore 5, Gandionco 5, Mabigat 4, Manlutac 4, Dela Cruz 2, Beley 2, Dionisio 2, Dolera 2, Fresnido 2, Lucero 1, Ylen 0, Molina 0, Bayona 0, Shi 0.

Quarterscores: 24-6, 44-30, 73-42, 84-55.