Reigning champion University of the East (UE) and University of Santo Tomas (UST) bolstered their bids after dispatching separate opponents in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88 junior high school basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Most Valuable Player frontrunner Goodluck Okebata powered the Junior Warriors’ wire-to-wire 96-69 triumph over a Sky Jazul-less Ateneo de Manila University squad with a dominant double-double performance of 25 points and 16 rebounds on top of four steals, two assists, and one block.

Meanwhile, the Tiger Cubs rediscovered their winning form with a lopsided 121-54 rout of University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS).

With the results, UE climbed into a tie for fourth place with Adamson University at 6-4, while UST seized solo third at 7-3 in the eight-team field. National University Nazareth School (10-0) and Far Eastern University-Diliman (8-2) remained entrenched at the top two spots in the standings.

Behind a strong third-quarter surge and the collective efforts of Okebata, Hero delos Santos, and Juan Mallabo, the Junior Warriors notched back-to-back wins and completed an elimination-round sweep of the Blue Eagles — building on their 87-77 first-round victory last 24 September.

“It’s very important yung consistency, pero we’re taking it one game at a time. But again, consistency, we have to be consistent on defense and on offense, and I am just happy we had 22 assists. It’s not enough, but we’ll grow from there,” UE head coach Matthew Sia said.

Ateneo tried to stay within striking distance early in the third period as Domeng Ngo drilled back-to-back triples to cut the deficit to 52-44. But the Junior Warriors responded with a blistering 21-8 run behind Okebata, Sean Felizmenia and Mark Perdigon, taking a commanding 73-52 lead entering the final quarter.

The Blue Eagles opened the fourth with an 8-1 rally to trim the gap to 74-60, but Okebata’s steady scoring and four consecutive triples from Perdigon and Delos Santos quickly restored UE’s dominance, stretching the lead to 90-62 with 3:33 left to play — effectively sealing the deal.

Delos Santos finished with 13 points, 11 of which came in the second half, alongside six assists, five rebounds, three steals and one block. Mallabo contributed 12 points and eight boards, while Perdigon and Felizmenia added 11 points each in a balanced effort.

In the other game, CJ Tabbuga erupted for 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting, along with nine rebounds, four steals, three assists, and one block, while Rowie Cabañero flirted with a triple-double of 20 points (9-of-10 shooting), 11 assists, five rebounds, and four steals to lead UST past UPIS.

The Tiger Cubs, who also dominated UPIS 114-61 on opening weekend last 21 September, created a one-game cushion over the Junior Warriors and Baby Falcons (6-4) with the victory.