Kevin Ferrer and Ed Daquioag hug it out after the Tigers defeated Adamson. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
University of Santo Tomas leaned on the duo of Kevin Ferrer and Ed Daquioag for a 70-64 victory over Adamson in the nightcap of the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament opening day Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Expected to take charge for the Growling Tigers this season, Ferrer and Daquioag did exactly that as they delivered down the stretch as the Falcons kept within striking distance after being down by as many as 17 in the opening period.
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Ferrer caught fire early and dropped 12 of his 24 points in the first quarter to allow UST to take an early 22-5 advantage. He also finished with eight rebounds and four assists.
“Opening jitters,” quipped coach Bong dela Cruz. “Lumamang kami nung first quarter tapos humabol sila nung second. Dun na humirap yung game.”
(We led big in the first quarter but they got back in the second. That’s when things went tough for us.)
The Falcons clawed right back in the second quarter courtesy of a 20-6 run, and kept the game close until the end before Daquioag took over and delivered in the clutch.
Daquioag led UST with a career-high 28 markers, 22 coming in the second half, three boards and three steals.
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“They played great today. As expected, the leaders went on to lead our team,” said dela Cruz of his two stalwarts.
Louie Vigil ended up with nine points and seven rebounds while an ailing Karim Abdul contributed seven markers and seven boards.
Joseph Nalos poured in 13 of his 18 points in the Adamson’s late charge, while Dawn Ochea got 12 markers and five rebounds.
The Scores:
UST 70 – Daquioag 28, Ferrer 24, Vigil 9, Abdul 7, Lee 2, Subido 0, Sheriff 0, Lao 0, Suarez 0, Huang 0.
ADAMSON 64 – Nalos 18, Ochea 12, Garcia 8, Capote 7, Margallo 5, Villanueva 4, Tungcab 3, Miranda 3, Bernardo 2, Sarr 2, Polican 0, Ng 0, Escalambre 0, Fernandez 0.
Quarters: 22-5, 28-25, 51-45, 70-64.