MANILA – Kyle Paranada delivered his best performance with University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers as they scored a 79-70 win over Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Holding to a slim 42-41 lead late in the third quarter, Paranada completed a four-point play followed by a triple from Miguel Pangilinan and a conversion from Nicael Cabañero for a 50-43 advantage.
The Tamaraws threatened to come close in the fourth period but three straight connections by Paranada for a 59-51 advantage, but the Tamaraws relied on baskets from Veejay Pre to cut the deficit to 62-67.
The Growling Tigers, however, created separation from inside connections by Cabañero and insurance free throws from Rence “Forthsky” Padrigao in the final minute of the contest.
Paranada finished with a season-high of 13 points, with nine coming in the fourth quarter, as the Growling Tigers snapped a three-game losing skid to improve to a 5-6 win-loss slate.
Cabañero led the way for the Growling Tigers with 16 points, Padrigao contributed 14 markers, while Mo Tounkara returned from a one-game suspension to deliver a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds.
“Basta kami ang iniisip namin ‘yung last four games namin is must win game ang mindset kaya ‘yung mga bata they really worked hard para manalo in this game,” said UST head coach Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio.
Pre finished with a career-high of 31 points, including five three-point conversions, to go with 14 rebounds and one block as the Tamaraws saw their two-game winning run snapped to drop to a 3-7 mark.
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons thwarted the Adamson University Falcons’ upset try for a 70-59 victory as they remained in second place with an 8-1 win-loss slate. The Falcons dropped to 3-7.
Holding to a slim 61-57 lead with over two minutes left, the Fighting Maroons went on a 9-2 finishing run behind JD Cagulangan, Gerry Abadiano, and Mark Belmonte for their largest lead of 11 points./PN
BOX SCORE:
UST 79 – Cabañero 16, Padrigao 14, Paranada 13, Tounkara 11, Manaytay 7, Acido 6, Lane 6, Pangilinan 6, Crisostomo 0, Llemit 0, Calum 0, Laure 0, Estacio 0.
FEU 70 – Pre 31, Pasaol 9, Alforque 8, Bautista 8, Konateh 4, Añonuevo 3, Bagunu 3, Daa 2, Montemayor 2, Ona 0, Nakai 0.
Quarterscores: 16-13, 32-29, 50-43, 79-70.
