UAAP: Sherwin Concepcion’s hot hand carries UST past UE
UST Growling TIgers’ Sherwin Concepcion. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Sherwin Concepcion waxed hot in the fourth quarter to lift University of Santo Tomas past University of the East, 74-62, for its first win in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament on Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.
When Harvey Pagsanjan scored five straight points to give UE a 60-55 lead with 6:47 remaining, Concepcion took matters into his own hands, scoring 10 of his career-high 25 points to spark a rousing 19-2 run en route to UST’s first victory after three matches.
Article continues after this advertisementConcepcion drilled six triples, including the back-to-back treys that gave the Growling Tigers a 70-62 lead in the final two-minute mark, and had five rebounds and three assists to end his team’s two-game skid.
Nic Cabanero also showed the way for UST with 12 points and seven rebounds. Christian Manaytay also scored 12. Bryan Santos posted a double-double 10 points and 12 boards, while Joshua Fontanilla had eight markers and dished out eight assists.
“I give the credit to my players, they didn’t give up. It was a tough fight down the stretch but the players showed their strengths to get this win,” said UST head coach Jinino Manansala after his first victory in the UAAP.
Article continues after this advertisement“This win is for the Thomasian community. Every game we dedicate it to them.”
UST forced a four-way tie in fourth place, tying Far Eastern University, National University, and Adamson University with identical 1-2 cards, while UE dropped to its third straight loss. Aurin Catacutan led the Red Warriors with 17 points and five rebounds, while Pagsanjan had 10 markers in another defeat.The Scores
UST 74 — Concepcion 25, Cabanero 12, Manaytay 12, Santos 10, Fontanilla 8, Yongco 3, Ando 2, M. Pangilinan 2, Manalang 0, Garing 0, Mantua 0, Samudio 0, Gomez de Liano 0, Canoy 0.
UE 62 — Catacutan 17, Pagsanjan 10, Escamis 9, Antiporda 7, Lorenzana 5, N. Paranada 4, Beltran 4, Guevarra 4, Sawat 2, K. Paranada 0, Tulabut 0, Je. Cruz 0, Villanueva 0.
Quarters: 25-24, 36-39, 50-53, 74-62.
