UE punches Final Four ticket

University of the East (UE) secured the last ticket to the Final Four with a dominant 96-67 victory over University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 boys’ 16U basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With the win, the Junior Warriors improved to 8-5 and officially clinched the fourth and last Final Four berth, securing their first postseason appearance since their championship run in Season 87.

In his first season at the helm of UE’s 16U squad, Paulo Hubalde expressed his satisfaction with leading the team back to the Final Four. The former Red Warriors standout is also handling the men’s team, which recently snapped a two-year winless spell.

“UE hasn’t made the Final Four (since 2024), so we have a chance to do something great today. That’s what I told them before the game.”

“I’m speechless. I’m very proud of what they have done. But the battle is not yet over. Of course, we want to sustain this and make UE proud.”

From the opening tip, the Junior Warriors hounded the Junior Fighting Maroons defensively, limiting their scoring opportunities while dominating the rebounding battle.

UE had already built a commanding 31-point halftime lead behind Kurt Mercado’s 17 points, with the team shooting an impressive 60.5 percent from the field.

The Junior Warriors continued their onslaught in the second half, stretching their advantage to as many as 42 points in the third quarter.

Hubalde eventually utilized all 16 players as UE cruised to the 96-67 victory.

Mercado finished with 24 points, including six three-pointers on eight attempts, while Odrie Mallabo contributed 13 points and eight rebounds.

Xerone Dizon chipped in 12 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.

UE will face fellow Final Four-bound Far Eastern University-Diliman on 17 November at the De La Salle Zobel Sports Pavilion.

Meanwhile, the Junior Fighting Maroons, who had already been eliminated from Final Four contention, fell to 2-11.

Zandro Lugatiman paced UPIS with 25 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.

Kean Poquiz added 16 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, while Hubert Bautista chipped in 12 points in the losing effort.