UAAP: Tiger Cubs, Eaglets score contrasting wins in juniors division

MANILA, Philippines – The league-leading University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs and the Ateneo Blue Eaglets scored contrasting wins against separate opponents in the juniors division of UAAP season 71 at the Blue Eagle Gym in Katipunan. The Tiger Cubs survived a tight chess match-like contest against the University of the East Pages for a 62-57 victory in the final game while the Eaglets needed a strong second half to beat the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws, 70-56. The first half belonged to the Pages as they challenged the Cubs’ for every basket and ball possession. This continued until the final period where neither team led by as much as four points to set up a thrilling finale. UST showed end-game poise and consistent scoring to remain unscathed after three games. Eduard Aytona contributed 22 points and nine rebounds coming off the bench, to lead UST’s scoring while Isiah Banawa scored 20 points to pace the Pages, which dropped to a 1-2 record. Earlier, Kiefer Ravena scored 21 points to help Ateneo join UST on top of the standings after pulling off a 70-56 triumph over FEU. Ravena scored 12 of his points from downtown to secure the third win for the Eaglets, which enjoyed a 24-18 edge in rebounds at the half. FEU-FERN's Chino Almario finished with 14 points as he tried to match Ravena’s scoring. It was the second loss for the Baby Tamaraws in three games. The Baby Tams last threatened at 48-47 on a Jan Derek Espino three-pointer in the final seconds of the third period. But that proved to be their last stand as Ravena pushed the Eaglets lead back to double digits, 64-54, completing on a three-point play with 3:14 left in the game clock. – ANDREW LANOT, GMANews.TV