Hot-shooting Sherwin Concepcion, UST gun down FEU

Photo from UAAP

Sherwin Concepcion had the hot hand as he shot University of Santo Tomas past Far Eastern University, 82-74, in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The rookie big man unleashed an avalanche of triples as part of a blistering Growling Tigers run bridging the third and fourth quarters to bury the Tamaraws.

During that pivotal stretch, Concepcion hit three consecutive 3-pointers inside the final two minutes of the third period where UST took a nine-point lead after trailing by as many as 12 in the second quarter.

“They responded to my challenge that they have to show up,” said UST head coach Aldin Ayo.

“Good way to bounce back from our last loss. All the mistakes that we did in our last game, we tried to correct those mistakes. I’m just grateful we were able to adjust,” added Ayo, referring to his team’s 78-71 meltdown at the hands of Adamson four days ago.

Soulemane Chabi Yo powered UST with 21 points and 15 rebounds while Concepcion had 12 on 4-of-8 shooting from long range.

The Tigers hiked their record to 4-2 and moved half a game behind second-running University of the Philippines (4-1) in the standings.

The Tamaraws failed to follow up their 66-55 victory over La Salle as they slipped to fifth place with a 2-3 slate.