DAWN/SPORTS

Junior Warriors at loss against Bullpups

By Maria Raphaelle M. Basilio

The UE Junior Warriors opened UAAP Season 79 Juniors Basketball tournament with a painful loss
against the defending champions, NU Bullpups, 54-104, last November 12, 2016 at the San Juan FilOil
Arena.
NU started smashing in the first quarter, with Rhayyan Amsali hitting a quick two point shot, kick-starting
the Bullpups to score continuously.
The Junior Warriors had a hard time establishing their defense against the Bullpups because of the height
difference.
Assists also became a big factor in the match. NUs guards found it easy to spot their free-man, making it
easy for them to score baskets. On the other hand, UE kept on making sloppy passes, causing them to
commit turnovers repeatedly.
The first quarter ended with the score of 15-34, with UE still having a hard time boxing-out the big men
of NU in the paint.
Rebounding became the next problem of the Junior Warriors in entering the second canto. With the
Warriors having with rebounding and defending, UE head Coach Bong Conlu went deep into his bench to
find the perfect five in the floor.
UEs Genesis Vinte tried to trim NUs lead, drilling back to back three point shots. But despite his efforts,
the first half ended, with NU still enjoying a 24-point lead, 35-59.
In the second half, Coach Bong Conlu deployed new set of players to windup the strong NU offense.
Andrei Dulalia, whos one of UEs big men suffered from a foul trouble and picked up his fifth foul in the
concluding minutes of the third quarter.
UE was scoreless in the last six minutes of the third period which made NU lead up to 47 points.
Crossing the threshold of the final period, the Juniors Warriors cant still establish a decent play to regain
their confidence in beating the defending champs.
At the remaining five minutes of the last quarter, Genesis Vinte continued scoring as he penetrates the
defense and tries to reduce the Bullpups lead.
Its a very sorry loss for the Junior Warriors, 50-104. Scoring only 3 points in the third period.
Going up against the defending champions, Medyo disappointed lang because they dont execute well sa
offense pero try to understand them kasi first game, first game jitters, Head Coach Bong Conlu
illustrates.

The team will play next against the UST Tiger Cubs, We will try to improve on our defense, specially
yung man to man. Kasi sabi ko sa mga bata, we are short so we have to run and hopefully next game,
makapag-adjust na sila, Coach Conlu staying positive about the boys.