MANILA, Philippines–University of Santo Tomas snapped its two-game losing streak in emphatic fashion, drubbing University of the East, 101-73, Wednesday in UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Relieving themselves of the pressure brought by huge expectations after their strong start, the Growling Tigers regained their touch from beyond the arc on their way to their fifth win in nine games.
Zach Huang highlighted UST’s biggest victory of the season with a career-high 22 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the three-point zone.
After lackluster performances in losses to La Salle and Ateneo, UST brandished a fluid offense that saw the Tigers hit a total of 14 triples on the way to the highest scoring output by any team this season.
With the victory, UST seized solo third behind Ateneo (8-0) and University of the Philippines (5-3) with a 5-4 record, ahead of De La Salle (4-4) and Far Eastern U (4-5), which lost to National U early Wednesday.
Soulemane Chabi Yo also finished with 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Sherwin Concepcion chipped in 10 points, including two treys in the first period that set the tone for the rout. The Tigers had eight players scoring at least six points as they led by as many as 34 points.
“We were able to release the pressure of the past games,” said UST coach Aldin Ayo, whose team also beat the Warriors, 95-82, in the first round.
“The pressure was really on the players (after our good start) so we just told them that we have to take the same approach at the start of the season – when we also played against UE.”
The Warriors lost for the first time in three games and dropped to 3-6, just one game ahead of bottom team National University.
The Scores
UST 101 – Chabi Yo 22, Huang 22, Concepcion 10, Paraiso 10, Nonoy 9, Abando 8, Cansino 7, Subido 6, Ando 2, Bataller 2, Cuajao 2, Bordeos 1, Asuncion 0, Caunan 0, Cosejo 0, Pangilinan 0
UE 73 – Diahkite 24, Tolentino 11, Manalang 10, Suerte 10, Conner 7, Antiporda 3, Apacible 2, Cruz 2, Lorenzana 2, Mendoza 2, Abanto 0, Camacho 0, Natividad 0, Pagsanjan 0
Quarter Scores: 26-18, 55-29, 74-54, 101-73
POST-GAME INTERVIEW