MANILA – University of the East Red Warriors got a timely lift from Jose Antiporda as they toppled the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 78-68, in UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Bacolod City native sparked a huge third quarter breakaway for the Red Warriors as they turned a slim 28-29 halftime deficit to a 55-49 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
The Red Warriors went on to dominate the slumping Growling Tigers in the fourth period. They built their largest lead at 73-60 following a three-pointer by rookie Luis Villegas with over a minute left.
Antiporda finished the match with career-high 13 points on 3-of-7 shooting from three-point area, to go with three steals and two rebounds. The Red Warriors moved up to 3-2 win-loss slate.
Villegas led the way with double-double 17 points and 13 rebounds to go with six assists, and three steals, Nikko Paranada also had 17 points, while former UST center Isagani Stevens tallied 11 points for the Red Warriors.
“Hindi ako makapaniwala eh. It’s really a team effort especially like guys like Harvey [Pagsanjan] and [Jojo] Antiporda na for the last four games, they were struggling no? I’m so happy nagising na sila,” said UE coach Jack Santiago.
The victory was also fitting for the Red Warriors. It was the university’s first victory over the Growling Tigers in nearly five years. This was also UE’s first winning streak since UAAP Season 82.
Nicael Cabañero ended with double-double 19 points and 14 rebounds but shot only 5-of-17 from the field, while Ivan Lazarte added 12 points as the Growling Tigers slumped to 1-4.
On Saturday night, National University Bulldogs surged to solo first place with 4-1 slate following a 58-54 escape over Adamson University Falcons (2-3). John Lloyd Clemente top-scored with 14 points for the Bulldogs.
De La Salle University Green Archers (3-2) went back to its winning ways via an 87-70 drubbing of Far Eastern University Tamaraws (0-5). Deschon Winston tallied 23 points to lead the Green Archers.
BOX SCORE:
UE 78 — Villegas 17, N. Paranada 17, Antiporda 13, Stevens 11, Pagsanjan 5, Payawal 5, K. Paranada 4, Sawat 4, Abatayo 2, Beltran 0, Remogat 0, Guevarra 0, Alcantara 0, Langit 0, Lingo-lingo 0.
UST 68 — Cabanero 19, Lazarte 12, Faye 11, Manalang 9, Pangilinan 8, Manaytay 5, Duremdes 2, Calimag 1, Mantua 1, Garing 0, Herrera 0.
Quarterscores: 10-13, 28-29, 55-49, 78-68./PN
