UST’S Eduardo Daquioag goes for a layup off Adamson’s Rodney Brondial. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
PLAYING with more fire in the second half, University of Santo Tomas brought down another contender in Adamson, 67-62, yesterday to gain a piece of the lead with Far Eastern U in the UAAP Season 76 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tigers came out strong after a lethargic first two periods, erasing a double-digit lead in the third quarter with Jeric Teng and Kevin Ferrer leading the charge.
Teng poured 13 of his 15 points in the second half, including a 15-foot fade away with 16 seconds remaining to give UST breathing room at 66-62.
Later, Roi Sumang completed a four-point play with 3.7 seconds remaining to lift University of the East to a pulsating 71-67 victory over National U.
The Warriors finally played like the powerhouse team it was billed to be at the start of the season with Sumang, who finished with a team-high 19 points, capping his game-long brilliance with a triple from 26 feet out while drawing a foul from NU star Ray Parks.
The Warriors tied their victims at 1-1, the same record as Adamson.
“We were humbled after the loss to FEU,” said UE coach Boycie Zamar. “We had some excess baggage, some bad habits after the preseason that showed against FEU. But Roi Sumang brought the most important baggage of all in this game, which is his big heart.”
With former UE star Paul Lee watching from courtside and the score tied at 67, Sumang took Parks one-on-one and put the exclamation point in a game-defining play.
Atoning for his poor effort against FEU, the Warriors’ 6-foot-8 center Charles Mammie dished out a monster performance with 15 points and 20 rebounds, 13 offensively.
Parks, the reigning Most Valuable Player, struggled with 11 points on 3-of-16 shooting for the Bulldogs, who scratched Cameroonian Alfred Aroga from their roster because he failed to comply with the league’s residency requirements of two years just before the game.
The loss turned out to be a double-whammy for the Falcons, who lost valuables, including mobile phones and cash, to burglars who sneaked into their locker room.
The scores:
First Game
UST 67—Ferrer 17, Teng 15, Bautista 9, Mariano 8, Daquiaog 7, Abdul 6, Lo 5, So 0, Sherrif 0, Pe 0, Hainga 0.
ADAMSON 62—Cruz 15, Sewa 13, Cabrera 11, Brondial 9, Trollano 6, Julkipli 4, Petlos 3, Inigo 1, Rios 0, Monteclaro 0, Agustin 0.
Quarters: 18-22, 26-34, 45-41, 67-62
Second Game
UE 71—Sumang 19, Mammie 15, Jumao-as 11, Olivares 9, Santos 6, Javier 4, Noble 3, Sumido 2, Casajeros 2, Guion 0, Galanza 0, Flores 0.
NU 67—Mbe 18, Parks 11, Khobuntin 8, Javillonar 8, Alejandro 8, Alolino 7, Rosario 4, Villamor 3, Rono 0, Neypes 0, De Guzman 0.
Quarters: 12-18, 32-31, 55-52, 71-67