UAAP Juniors: Ateneo advances to finals

MANILA, Philippines – Among the teams that have a twice-to-beat advantage and played at The Arena in San Juan City, the Ateneo Blue Eaglets were the ones that managed to close out its semis series against the Adamson Baby Falcons. The Adamson Lady Falcons and the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons forced a rubber match against top seeds Far Eastern University Lady Tamaras and University of Santo Tomas Tigresses in the final-four round in the women’s basketball tournament while in the other junior division semis match the FEU Baby Tamaraws and the La Salle Junior Archers square-off once again for the second finals berth. The Eaglets, perennial title contenders in the junior basketball tournament, made short work of the Baby Falcons cruising to a 78-45 win to earn the first finals ticket. Ateneo’s semis win gives them a week-long rest against its would-be opponent in the finals. The Eaglets opened the game with a 21-11 lead and never looked back after that. The Katipunan-based squad finished the elimination with a Juami Tiongson led the Eaglet’s commanding flight against the Baby Falcons finishing with 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and a block. Mark Juruena, the most valuable player statistical leader, put in an MVP performance but failed in his bid to lead Adamson to the finals. He finished with 11 points, 16 rebounds, one steal and a season-high seven blocks. Now on his 11th coaching year for the Eaglets, Jamike Jarin said he challenged his players before the game. “Sa kanila nga ang MVP but my team is talented and will do well." Jarin said they will be ready whether they face no.2 seed La Salle or the Horacio Lim-coached FEU. “We’ll always give our best. FEU has a coach with a solid winning tradition and can bring a lot to his team while La Salle is the champion and is undoubtedly a strong team." – Andrew Lanot