Tigers on prowl for piece of lead

UST forward Kevin Ferrer tries to put up a shot against Ingrid Sewa of Adamson in Saturday’s game at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

University of Santo Tomas doesn’t see National University any less of a contender even after the Bulldogs lost a key big man recently.

“NU is still strong, they’re the seeded team this year,” said UST coach Pido Jarencio. “Even without (Alfred) Aroga, they’re still strong with (Emmanuel) Mbe.”

The Tigers hope to join idle leader Far Eastern University at the top with a third win in as many games in their 4 p.m. match versus the Bulldogs today at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Coming off a thrilling win over the Bulldogs, the University of the East Warriors go for a second straight victory against Adamson in the first game at 2 p.m.

The Bulldogs will need to adjust minus Aroga, touted as one of the better African recruits this season, as league officials ruled that the 6-foot-6 Cameroonian failed to meet the two-year residency required for foreign players.

“We got used to having him in the preseason, so we have to tweak it a little now knowing that he won’t be here anymore,” said NU coach Eric Altamirano.

The Bulldogs absorbed a painful first loss to the Warriors in a game where Roi Sumang knocked in a deep triple with 3.7 seconds left and then capped it with a foul shot for a 71-67 UE victory.

“It was redemption for us,” said coach Boycie Zamar after his preseason favorite Warriors absorbed a shock loss to the Tamaraws, 78-89, on opening day.

“One of the important things in the UAAP is the first win. Once you start planting, it grows and hopefully, we’ll bring this against Adamson. We respect them (Falcons) and we have to work harder.”

Aside from Sumang’s latest heroics, African recruit Charles Mammie finally showed his worth as he buried 15 points and grabbed 20 rebounds versus the Bulldogs.

The Falcons bowed to the Tigers, 62-67, to share fourth spot with the Bulldogs and Warriors at 1-1.