University of the East (UE) turned to Ethan Aguas when the game was on the line en route to a 56-51 win over De La sale Zobel (DLSZ), enabling the team to put a stop to a three-game slide Sunday in the Season 87 University Athletic Association of the Philippines High School Boys Basketball Tournament at the Filoil EcoOil centre in San Juan.

Aguas, a 17-year-old, 6-foot-4 forward from Tarlac and a standout from UE’s inaugural 16-and-under team last year, took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 of his 16 points to go along with seven rebounds.

His exploits helped the Junior Warriors close out a tough first round on a high note.

After suffering a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to Far Eastern University-Diliman and a narrow one-point defeat to National University Nazareth School, UE salvaged a 3-4 record, tying DLSZ for fifth place at the end of the first round.

“Happy for the win, finally we stopped our losing streak. We’ll take it, a win is a win, we are happy. We need this win for the second round. If we really want to make it to the Final Four, I think we have to start now,” said second-year Junior Warriors head coach Karl Santos.

Trailing 36-37 at the end of the third quarter, Aguas spearheaded a 16-5 UE run to establish a 52-42 cushion with 3:25 remaining.

DLSZ, however, refused to back down.

The trio of Maco Dabao, Kieffer Alas and Bonn Daja cut the deficit to 52-48 with 1:49 left, but Aguas sealed the win with three crucial free throws, giving UE a comfortable 55-48 lead.

Lance Sabroso contributed 10 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Edry Alejandro added seven points, five rebounds and two steals in the much-needed win for UE.

The Junior Archers, on the other hand, suffered their third straight defeat, dropping to 3-4 and sharing fifth place with UE.

Alas led DLSZ with a game-high 22 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and one block but committed five turnovers. Daja chipped in nine points, six rebounds and two steals.

Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University finally entered the win column with an 85-73 triumph over the struggling University of the Philippines Integrated School.