UAAP: Daquioag tows UST to solo lead

PHOTO BY TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net

After three games, Ed Daquioag is proving himself for real.

Daquioag led University of Santo Tomas (UST) as it staved off a pesky University of the Philippines (UP) squad, 67-59, to take solo leadership in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The graduating guard came alive in the payoff period, pouring down 17 of his 27 points to help the Growling Tigers bring the Fighting Maroons back to earth in the battle between the two undefeated squads. He also had six rebounds to boot.

Kevin Ferrer chimed in a double-double with 16 markers and 10 boards, while Karim Abdul contributed eight points and eight rebounds to help UST remain undefeated after three games.

“It was a hard game. Siguro sinuwerte lang kami na na-execute namin yung offense at defense,” said UST coach Bong dela Cruz.

(Maybe we just got lucky that we executed our offense and defense.)

The second-year coach also praised Daquioag for leading the team in the clutch, as he said, “Last year pa lang, alam ko na si Ed yung isa sa mga magdadala ng team. Nagka-injury lang sya last year pero ngayon ready na sya.”

(Even last year, I knew that Ed will be one of those guys who will lead the team. It just happened that he got injured, but he’s ready now.)

Daquioag played through a microfracture injury on his left ankle last season.

In a game which has been anticipated for almost a week and attracted a 11,705 gate attendance, the two squads picked up their slack from a forgettable first half, where both teams shot 23-percent from the field, to deliver in the final two quarters.

Ferrer started the uprising in the third, and Daquioag took over in the final canto to stun a UP side which has been powered by former national youth team members Diego Dario and Paul Desiderio late.

Dario paced the Maroons, which incurred their first defeat in three outings, with 15 points and four rebounds, as Desiderio got 12 markers and seven boards.

PHOTO BY TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net

The Scores:

UST 67 – Daquioag 27, Ferrer 16, Abdul 8, Subido 4, Vigil 4, Bonleon 3, Lee 3, Sheriff 2, Huang 0, Lao 0, Suarez 0.

UP 59 – Dario 15, Desiderio 12, Manuel 9, Kone 6, Gallarza 5, Moralde 4, Juruena 3, Vito 3, Lim 2, Amar 0, Asilum 0, Harris 0, Jaboneta 0, Longa 0, Prado 0.

Quarters: 10-4, 21-15, 42-40, 67-59.