angel dizon,
Junior Fighting Maroons Finishes UAAP Season 81
Fighting Maroons! The Jr. Fighting Maroons after winning against De La Salle Zobel on their first game of the UAAP season. Photo credit: UPIS Junior Fighting Maroons Facebook Page
The University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Jr. Fighting Maroons competed in the 81st season of the University Athletics Association Philippines (UAAP) Juniors Basketball Division, from January 13 to February 10, 2019, at the San Juan Arena and the Filoil Flying V Arena.
Early in the season, the team started off strong against the De La Salle Zobel (DLSZ) Junior Archers last January 13.
Finishing with a 3-point lead against DLSZ in the first quarter scoring 15-12, the UPIS Jr. Fighting Maroons was able to hold a strong defense play, to be caught up in end of the second quarter, one point behind against the opposing team, with a score of 23-24.
The team was able to plow through the third quarter with a 10-point lead against DLSZ. Eventually, pulling off a strong offensive play thanks to the multiple fast-breaks from Polo Labao and Jacob Estrera, ending the quarter at 50-41
The game ended with the team scoring a win against DLSZ with a final score of 64-56, solidifying their opening in this year’s season of UAAP.
As the season progressed, however, the team faced two losses against the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eaglets and the Far Eastern University (FEU) Baby Tamaraws last January 23 and 27, respectively.
The game last January 23 ended with a score of 115-68, in favor of the Blue Eaglets. The game had a rough start for the Jr. Fighting Maroons, with Angelo David and Kai Sotto of Blue Eaglets scoring side by side.
After settling for a 44-15 lead in the opening period, the Blue Eaglets claimed a 26-point lead against the Jr. Fighting Maroons making it difficult for them to catch up. Ultimately, the Blue Eaglets seized complete control of the game making their points 42 ahead on the third quarter and ending the game with the score of 115-68.
On the other hand, the game against FEU ended with the score of 87-65, in favor of the Baby Tamaraws. The Jr. Fighting Maroons had a tight start with their opponent leading only by 3 points. But unfortunately, the gap between the scores only grew despite the efforts of the team especially Labao who scored most at the game with 19 points, followed by King Vergeire and Estrera who both scored 13 points.
Despite receiving minor injuries, limiting their movements in the court, the team was still able to plow through. According to Polo Labao, the things they still needed to improve on was their defense and their focus in each of their games.
Further into the second round of the UAAP, the team faced up against the University of the East (UE) Junior Warriors on Sunday, February 10.
The team, however, lost their last two games this season against the National University (NU) Bullpups and UE Junior Warriors respectively, last February 3 and February 10.
The Junior Fighting Maroons had a hard time keeping up with the NU Bullpups at their game last February 23. The Bullpups scored 29 points in the opening quarter against the Junior Maroons, claiming a 19-point lead. The gap only grew despite the efforts of seniors Vergeire and Labao who scored the most in the game. The Junior Maroons still fought their way until the end but the Bullpups’ defense was too strong and ended the game with 106 points.
On the other hand, the Junior Fighting Maroons started strong in their last game against UE Warriors, scoring 34 points during the first half of the game and at one point, having a 14-point lead. But by the third quarter, the Warriors tightened up their defense and overtook the Junior Maroons, despite Estrera scoring 30 points during the game, consecutively shooting threes. In the end, the UE Warriors finished strong and sealed the game with 80 points, four points away from Junior Maroons’ 76.
Teary-eyed members, especially the seniors, were seen during the UP Naming Mahal. This marked their final game of UAAP Season 81. //by Ria Amano, Angel Dizon, CJ Herrero, Roel Ramolete
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