UE Jr Warriors cop Flying V junior crown

MANILA, Philippines - The University of the East Jr. Red Warriors upstaged the San Beda Red Cubs, 50-47, to capture the Filoil Flying V junior division title Friday at The Arena in San Juan.

Ian Macaranas, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, fired 16 points while JC Duncil and Christian Canicula contributed 10 points each in leading the Junior Warriors to their second crown this summer under head coach Mark Herrera.

The Junior Warriors also ruled the National Youth Basketball League with a 94-80 victory over Benigno Aquino High School a week earlier.

It was also the fourth title for Herrera, who steered the Quezon City-Batang Talk N Text to its grand slam title in the NCR Batang PBA tournament and the national title in the same tournament which was expanded this year to include provincial teams from Visayas, Mindanao and Luzon.

“The players have improved a lot. They are now more disciplined and confident although we remain the underdogs in the upcoming UAAP games,” said Herrera, who is also the national under-13 coach.

The Junior Warriors’ summer campaign was fully supported by the UE physical education department under Rolando Perez.

Other members of the Junior Warriors are Isiah Banawa, Carlos Dizon, RR de Leon, Anthony Lunas, Roger Samia, JP Rodriguez, Clark de Guzman, JC Mendoza, Jethro Malamog, JC Peñaflor, Hubert Cani, Kevin Hernandez, JR Martinez, Mark Polo, Milo Castro and Paul Jerome Carpio.

Herrera is assisted by Benjie Diswe, Edwin Ancheta and Egi de Leon.