MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers made a rousing debut in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball. It posted a 95-82 win over the University of the East Red Warriors yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Rhenz Abando made a good impression with 22 points, including five triples while Beninese center Soulemane Chabi Yo had double-double 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Brent Paraiso and Sherwin Concepcion added 10 markers apiece. On the other hand, Crispin John Cansino made his return from knee injury with nine points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Down by five midway in the first period, the Tigers leaned on consecutive points by Abando and Concepcion to take a 27-19 edge.
The Red Warriors rallied to within six in the second but shots from Abando and Chabi Yo gave UST a 51-39 halftime edge.
The Tigers went on with its run in the third period on baskets from Abando, Chabi Yo, Paraiso and rookie Vince Cuajao as the lead went up to its largest at 23 points in the fourth period.
The Red Warriors countered with a huge fourth quarter rally behind rookie Harvey Pagsanjan and Rey Suerte to come to within 80-90. A triple by Negrense Mark Nonoy and free throws by Paraiso, however, sealed the win for the Tigers.
In the second game, Season 81 runner-ups University of Philippines Fighting Maroons flirted with disaster before pulling off a 61-55 victory over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.
After seeing its double-digit edge in the third period turned into a 55-all score, the Fighting Maroons got a timely basket from Bright Akhuetie and four free throws from Jun Manzo to escape with its first win of the season.
BOX SCORE:
UST 95 – Abando 22, Chabi Yo 19, Paraiso 10, Concepcion 10, Cansino 9, Subido 5, Cuajao 5, Cosejo 5, Ando 4, Nonoy 3, Huang 3, Pangilinan 0, Bataller 0.
UE 82 – Suerte 23, Diakhite 20, Pagsanjan 15, Mendoza 10, Tolentino 6, Abanto 5, Manalang 3, Apacible 0, Antiporda 0, Sawat 0, Conner 0.
Quarterscores: 27-19, 51-39, 69-52, 95-82./PN
