UE's Xerone Dizon in action against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 89 16-and-under basketball tournament, September 26, 2026 at the DLSZ Sports Pavilion in Muntinlupa. UAAP Media
MANILA — University of the East survived a late fightback by the Ateneo de Manila University for an 84-76 win in the UAAP Season 89 16-and-under basketball tournament on Saturday at the DLSZ Sports Pavilion in Muntinlupa.
The Junior Red Warriors stretched their winning streak to three games and improved to 4-1 in the season.
Odrie Mallabo posted a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds, while Xerone Dizon led UE with 17 points and nine rebounds.
Kurt Mercado added 12 points and four rebounds, while Zion Aguilar finished with 10 points for the Junior Red Warriors.
"Sabi ko sa kanila, kahit sino naman ang kalaban namin, we don’t need to relax. Wala pang bilang 'yung standings for now. It’s still our job to play the right way and play the way we wanna play,’" said head coach Paulo Hubalde.
UE took control early, building a 16-point lead at halftime, 49-33.
Ateneo mounted a comeback in the second half, cutting into the deficit before Karl Gandionco knocked down back-to-back triples to bring the Blue Eagles within five, 74-69, with 4:08 remaining.
The Blue Eagles stayed within striking distance down the stretch, but UE held on to secure the eight-point victory.
For Ateneo, Chris Llavore posted a double-double with a game-high 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Gandionco and Jayden Ylen added 14 points apiece.
UST's Mac Macasarte in action against Adamson in the UAAP Season 89 16-and-under basketball tournament, September 26, 2026 at the DLSZ Sports Pavilion in Muntinlupa. UAAP Media
Earlier in the day, University of Santo Tomas overcame a second-half deficit to outlast Adamson University, 82-76.
Mac Macasarte led the Tiger Cubs with a game-high 26 points and 12 rebounds, while Miguel Austria also posted a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
"Talagang pinaghihirapan nila sa ensayo yan. Kahit na 'yung Macasarte may sakit, two days yan wala dahil may sakit. Pero pagbalik sa ensayo, same pa rin 'yung intensity niya," said head coach Noli Mejos. "Talagang masipag 'yung mga bata na 'yan. Do-double time talaga yan. Nage-extra talaga."
The Baby Falcons erased an eight-point deficit in the first half and took a 55-48 lead midway through the third quarter.
UST answered by outscoring Adamson, 22-17, to close the period and reclaim the lead heading into the final frame.
Adamson regained the lead with five minutes remaining, but the Tiger Cubs responded with a 10-3 run behind Austria to take a 79-73 advantage before holding on for the victory.
"Tingin ko ngayon, maganda 'yung execute namin sa offense. Pero hindi pa ako contented sa ginawa ng player dahil parang ang bagal ng reaction nila lalo na sa depensa," Mejos added, with UST set to face the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws on September 29 at the Gameville Ball Park.
Adamson fell to 1-3, while Ateneo remained winless at 0-5.
Three Baby Falcons finished in double figures, led by Darren Sepnio with 16 points. Zach Caintic added 15, while Carl Espiritu chipped in 14.
The Scores:
First Game:
UST 82 - Macasarte 26, Austria 20, Anggot 9, Umbana 6, Eusebio 4, Bathan 4, Collado 4, Esusan 3, Cuello 3, Samaniego 2, Duenas 1, Retaga 0, Abototo 0, Cabañero 0.
AdU 76 - Sepnio 16, Caintic 15, Espiritu 14, Edrada 9, Bulan 8, Delos Santos 6, Gayatin 6, Chan 2, Timtiman 0, Cads 0, Maycong 0.
Quarterscores: 22-16, 42-44, 64-61, 82-76.
Second Game:
UE 84 - Dizon 17, Mallabo 13, K. Mercado 12, Aguilar 10, Roxas 7, Pontipedra 7, Delos Santos 6, J. Mercado 5, Velayo 4, Sena 3, Ancheta 0, Redulfa 0, Apostol 0.
Ateneo 76 - Llavore 27, Gandionco 14, Ylen 14, Molina 6, Saw 6, Dela Cruz 3, Dionisio 3, Dolera 2, Beley 1, Nuque-Bautista 0, Mabigat 0, Bayona 0, Shi 0, Lucero 0, Manlutac 0.
Quarterscores: 22-16, 49-36, 65-56, 84-76.