INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines -- University of the East flashed a familiar dominance early in the game, but relied on Elmer Espiritu in the final stretch to turn back a rallying University of Santo Tomas for a 78-73 triumph at the start of the 71st UAAP men's basketball season Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Espiritu knocked down seven straight points capped by a right baseline jumper in the last 25.3 seconds to push the Warriors ahead, 76-69, after the Tigers threatened within a bucket at 68-66.

"We had a hard time because every time they miss a basket, (Jervy) Cruz was there for an offensive rebound," said Warriors coach Dindo Pumaren.

Visibly a step slower, Cruz found his rhythm late in the game to finish with a game-high 26 points and 22 rebounds.

Cruz, last season's Most Valuable Player, came off the bench as he nursed injuries on his hamstring and ankle.

Espiritu, a high-leaping senior big man, finished a rebound-shy of a double-double with 15 markers and nine boards.

Hans Thiele also added 13, while Marcy Arellano collected 11 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists for the Warriors, who are aiming to rebound from last season's tragic campaign that saw them losing to the La Salle Green Archers in the championship series after a remarkable 14-game elimination sweep.

The Tigers shot eight points, six coming from Cruz, in a run that that trimmed the margin to 68-66 from a 64-58 gap with 4:14 minutes left in the final canto.

Thiele took charge in an early scoring surge, scoring 12 of the Warriors' last 18 points in the second quarter to extend a slim 32-30 margin to a 50-39 spread at halftime.

The Warriors shot 50 percent from the field in the opening two quarters as Thiele, Espiritu, James Martinez, and JM Noble paced the early charge.

With a scoring onslaught anchored on Arellano, the Warriors raced to their biggest lead, 63-49, late in the third quarter.

"We're smaller, but we played good defense," said Pumaren.

The scores:

UE 78 -- Espiritu 15, Thiele 13, Arellano 11, Martinez 10, Noble 6, Lee 6, Llagas 5, Etrone 4, Lingganay 4, Bandaying 3, Zamar 1, Tagarda 0.

UST 73 -- Cruz 26, Ababou 15, Taylor 10, Allera 8, Cuan 7, Canlas 3, Fenequito 2, Mirza 2, Vargas 0, Fortuna 0, Camus 0, Bautista 0.

Quarters: 24-26, 50-39, 64-58, 78-73