ALJON Mariano provided the firepower for the University of Santo Tomas as the Growling Tigers downed the pesky UP Fighting Maroons, 77-70, to punch their quarterfinal ticket at the Filoil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup yesterday.
San Beda, meanwhile, completed its elimination round sweep of Group A as the Red Lions eliminated rival Letran Knights from the quarterfinal race via a 76-56 rout yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Arena.
Behind Mariano’s double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds, the Tigers won despite shooters Jeric Teng and Clark Bautista being ejected after a scuffle with UP’s Jelo Montecastro and Robby Weirzba at the 2:32 mark of the second quarter.
“The team has well adjusted and I am happy with our team’s flow,” said UST coach Pido Jarencio. “This is only the preseason. We are focused on the UAAP.”
Kevin Ferrer added 12 markers, including the dagger three with 1:52 to play.
Using a strong fourth quarter, the Tigers thwarted the late surge by the Fighting Maroons behind team captain Jeric Fortuna, who scored all of his six points at the start of the payoff period.
Baser Amer had 15 points in a 6-of-13 shooting from the field, along with six boards and six assists to lead the Lions, while Rome dela Rosa shot 13 points and Ola Adeogun had a double-double of 11 markers and 12 rebounds for the Red Lions.
The scores:
First Game
UST 77—Mariano 26, Ferrer 12, Abdul 8, Lo 7, Fortuna 6, Vigil 6, Afuang 6, Teng 4, Garrido 2, Tan 0, Bautista 0, Pe 0, Mamaril 0, Hainga 0.
UP 70—Silungan 18, Manuel 12, Gamboa 10, Ball 9, Gallarza 9, Reyes 4, Romero 4, Montecastro 2, Weirzba 2, Mbah 0, Wong 0, Hipolito 0.
Quarters: 20-12, 38-28, 54-51, 77-70
Second Game:
SAN BEDA 76—Amer 15, Dela Rosa 13, Adeogun 11, J. Pascual 9, Caram 8, Dela Cruz 8, K. Pascual 6, Lim 5, Solera 1, Koga 0, Moralde 0, Ludovice 0, Mendoza 0.
LETRAN 56—Cruz 12, Almazan 11, Cortes 10, Racal 8, K. Alas 6, J. Alas 4, Gabawan 3, Lituania 2, Luib 0, Pantin 0, Gabriel 0, Cudal 0.
Quarters: 14-15, 34-24, 59-43, 76-56