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[av_heading heading=’UST cagers snap UAAP losing skid ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers snapped a five-game losing skid in the UAAP 79 men’s seniors basketball tournament with a 73-69 win over the National University Bulldogs on Saturday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Marvin Lee led the way with a season-high 22 points, including five three-point conversions, for the Tigers, which halted its five-game losing skid to improve its record to 3-8.
Louie Vigil chipped in 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Jamil Sheriff added a conference-best 19 points and six steals for the Tigers, which is mounting its last push for a Final Four seat.
The Tigers had an aggressive start behind Lee, Vigil and Sheriff for a 15-9 lead. It later grew to 22-14 at the end of the opening period following consecutive inside conversions by Vigil.
The Tigers later built a 27-17 edge on baskets by Vigil but the Bulldogs responded behind Alfred Aroga and Adven Diputado to come to within 30-25. A triple by Matthew Salem and a hit by Chito Mosqueda allowed the Bulldogs to tie the score at 34-all.
The Bulldogs finally claimed the lead early in the third canto following a triple by Joshua Sinclair but the Tigers responded with hits from Sheriff and Jeppy Faundo to retake the upperhand at 54-47 on a buzzer-beating triple by Lee.
Lee continued his hot shooting for the Tigers, his back-to-back triples giving them its largest lead at 67-54. The Bulldogs made its last push to come to within 69-62 but free throws by Vigil sealed the win for the Tigers.
“It’s all about teamwork and team defense,” said Tigers head coach Rodil Sablan. “Nagtrabaho ‘yung mga bata. Pinakita nila na gusto nilang manalo at ayaw nilang madismaya ang UST community.”
Meanwhile, the UAAP announced the cancellation of the scheduled matches between the Far Eastern University Tamaraws due to the onslaught of Typhoon Karen./PN
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