MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers used a 16-0 run in the fourth period to score a 74-64 victory over the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Down 56-60 after a three-point play by Blue Eagles’ Joshua Lazaro, the Growling Tigers got back-to-back conversions from Mohammed Tounkara and Nicael Cabañero to tie the score at 60-all.
A three-pointer by Mark Llemit gave UST a 63-60 lead, followed by an inside hit from Tounkara, a three-pointer from Rence Padrigao, and back-to-back inside hits from Cabañero for a 72-60 advantage.
The Blue Eagles broke the dry spell with two free throws from Sean Quitevis and a layup from Ian Espinosa, but two free throws by Kyle Paranada extended the Growling Tigers’ lead back to 10 points.
Tounkara finished with a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds to go with one steal and a block, while Angelo Crisostomo posted a career-high of 16 points to go with 10 rebounds as the Growling Tigers improved to a 2-0 win-loss slate.
Cabañero and Llemit chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Growling Tigers, which tallied their first win over the Blue Eagles since their 68-58 triumph in UAAP Season 78 on September 26, 2015.
“It’s all about the players. Kami dito guidance lang kami sa mga players, sila ‘yung nagpanalo ng game,” said Growling Tigers head coach Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio. “It’s a total team effort from the players to the coaches.”
“Naka-focus itong team naming. Well-prepared kami every game, breaks of the game din. Nakuha namin ‘yung momentum namin nung fourth quarter, ayun nagtuloy-tuloy,” he added.
Lazaro tallied a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Shawn Tuano and Kristian Porter contributed 13 and 10 markers, respectively, as the Blue Eagles dropped to 0-2.
Meanwhile, defending champions De La Salle University Green Archers also nailed their second victory in as many games after an 82-52 rout of Adamson University Falcons. Kevin Quiambao top-scored with 21 points./PN
BOX SCORE:
UST 74 – Tounkara 16, Crisostomo 16, Cabañero 11, Llemit 10, Padrigao 6, Robinson 6, Paranada 5, Acido 3, Lane 1, Estacio 0, Manaytay 0, Pangilinan 0.
ATENEO 64 – Lazaro 18, Tuano 13, Porter 10, Espinosa 8, Quitevis 4, Ong 4, Bahay 3, Balogun 2, Espina 2, Bongo 0, Edu 0, Reyes 0.
Quarterscores: 18-19, 37-41, 55-52, 74-64.
