Raging Tigers halt Maroons

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas’ surprise climb to the top came along with Ed Daquioag’s unexpected rise in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

Daquioag—overlooked just like the rest of the Tigers in the preseason—came out explosive yet again as UST slipped past University of the Philippines, 67-59, to grab the solo lead on a 3-0 card yesterday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“Ed’s confidence is very high, he’s just enjoying the game,” UST coach Bong dela Cruz said of the veteran guard, who shot a game-high 27 points to sustain his hot tournament run.

Far Eastern University joined the Maroons in second spot at 2-1 after the Tamaraws ripped the La Salle Green Archers, 93-75, behind the big games of Mike Tolomia and Mac Belo.

“I was scared to play La Salle because I didn’t know how we’ll react [after our first loss versus UST],” said FEU coach Nash Racela. “But it turned out very positive. We played as a team.”

Tolomia finished with 20 points and five assists and Belo collected 17 points, four assists and four blocks to power the Tamaraws, who closed out the third quarter with a 20-0 bomb.

The Tigers, with Kevin Ferrer shining in the second half, thwarted the Maroons’ late rally on the way to matching their 3-0 start in 1999.

Daquioag, who averaged 23 points in his last two outings, unloaded 13 straight in one stretch in the fourth quarter that put the Tigers back in control after the Maroons charged ahead in the third to wrest the lead, 27-25.

“Last year, we already knew Ed will carry this team together with Kevin,” said Dela Cruz. “Unfortunately, he had an injury.”

Ferrer finished with a double-double of 16 points, 12 coming in the second half, and 10 rebounds for the Tigers.

UST star Ed Daquioag elevates for a shot off UP痴 Paul Desiderio in yesterday痴 UAAP top-of-the-table game at MOA Arena. ARNOLD ALMACEN

The Maroons, a long-time cellar-dweller, seemed to have felt the pressure and struggled from the field in the first half of the battle between two surprise leaders.

Although the trio of Diego Dario, Paul Desiderio and Jett Manuel towed UP within three, 52-55, the Maroons converted only one basket inside the last two minutes.

The scores:

First Game

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

Second Game

FEU 93—Tolomia 20, Belo 17, Orizu 12, Pogoy 8, Iñigo 6, Jose 6, Tamsi 6, Trinidad 6, Escoto Ru. 5, Arong 3, Comboy 3, Holmqvist 1, Ebona 0, Escoto Ri. 0.

LA SALLE 75—Teng 29, Caracut 13, Sargent 11, Rivero 8, Perkins 5, Muyang 3, Navarro 3, Torralba 2, Go 1, Langston 0, Torres 0, Tratter 0.

Quarters: 24-25, 45-43, 77-54, 93-75