MANILA - The De La Salle Zobel (DLSZ) Junior Archers forced a three-way logjam on top of the standings after toppling the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws, 82-65, in Tuesday's main game of the 72nd University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) juniors basketball at the Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

The Junior Archers' huge win, however, came with a big price as 6’8’’ Filipino-German Arnold Vans Optal was ejected. He will serve an automatic one-game suspension.

With 7.6 seconds left and the outcome already settled, Vans Optal lost his cool and threw a punch on defender Arwin Albano's stomach.  He will serve his suspension on the Junior Archers' next game against the winless University of the Philippines Baby Maroons on Saturday.

Vans Optal, who finished with 11 points, four boards and two shot blocks, was instrumental in the Junior Archers' pull away from a tight opening period.

The gangling beanpole teamed up with Luis dela Paz and Gwynne Capacio resulting in a 38-31 lead for the Junior Archers from a slim 30-29 advantage. DLSZ did not let up and poured in the heat in the second half.

The Baby Tamaraws, who absorbed their second loss in three starts, fell to as many as 24 points down in the payoff period.

The win put the Junior Archers tie with the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs and University of the East Junior Warriors as the remaining unbeaten teams in the tournament.

The Junior Warriors thwarted a late rally by the National University Bullpups, 57-50.

Meanwhile, defending champions Ateneo Blue Eaglets finally barged into the win column.

The Blue Eaglets, who lost to DLSZ and UST in their first two games, jumped to a big lead early to score a morale-boosting 102-74 rout of the Adamson Baby Falcons. Alder T. Almo

For more UAAP news, visit www.uaapsports.com