Abdul responds to lead UST to Filoil semis

UST’S Karim Abdul (right) INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Karim Abdul and Ed Daquioag each registered a double-double to help University of Santo Tomas beat Arellano University, 83-73, to become the first team in the Final Four of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup Monday at the Arena in San Juan.

Abdul played his best game yet in the tournament with 18 points and 14 rebounds while Daquioag gave his team a lift with 11 points and 10 rebounds in place of the injured Clark Bautista, who sat out due to back pains.

“Ayaw lang talaga magpatalo ng mga bata. More on pride at the same time yung experience ng team and ng mga players lumabas,” said UST coach Pido Jarencio, whose squad will battle the winner between University of the East and Adamson.

“Actually, sinabihan ko siya (Abdul) na kailangan mag-step up siya this game kasi dito makikita yung character ng team at kung ano yung direksyon ng team. By now kailangan nagpi-pickup na, maganda na dapat laro namin. Yung susi dito yung rotation, nagagamit lahat tapos nag-contribute lahat.”

The Growling Tigers, who are supposed to face unbeaten National University in the quarterfinals before Ateneo pulled out, went on a 16-4 run in the fourth quarter to lead, 65-53, on a basket by Jeric Teng with 7:07 remaining.

Teng topscored with 23 points on seven-of-22 shooting from the floor while Kevin Ferrer added 14 points and six rebounds on a bad ankle.

“As coach was saying, this game was a good test for us in preparation for the UAAP so we brought all our focus in this game to know what we’re capable of doing,” said Abdul, who had his touch at the line going eight-of-10.

“Sabi ni coach sa akin, confidence lang sa sarili,” said the 21-year-old Daquioag, who knows he has big shoes to fill running the point guard position with the departure of Jeric Fortuna.

“Siya na yung inaasahan natin. May ilalabas yan,” Jarencio said of his third year guard.

Nard Pinto led the Chiefs, who missed the services of James Forrester due to a left knee injury, with 13 points to go along with four rebounds and four assists before cramping up midway through the fourth quarter.