Tigers maul Warriors; Archers down Falcons
JAROLD Flores of the University of the East thwarts Aljon Mariano of the University of Santo Tomas during yesterday’s match. August dela Cruz
University of Santo Tomas showed it can pull off thrilling escapes as well as a big win.
Just a week after a double-overtime triumph, the Tigers bucked the absence of a key cog to dump University of the East, 85-69, and claim solo third in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament yesterday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Karim Abdul had another huge double-double outing of 20 points and 19 rebounds for the Tigers, who streaked to their fourth straight triumph.
Kevin Ferrer and Louie Vigil also stepped up as the Tigers played minus Jeric Teng, who missed his first game after playing 48 consecutive outings due to a knee injury.
“Our players who haven’t had the chance were able to step up because of the absence of Jeric Teng,” said coach Pido Jarencio as the Tigers climbed to 4-1.
But another Teng shone for La Salle as his brother Jeron came through in the clutch to help La Salle snap a three-game skid with a 56-52 decision of Adamson in the first game.
Jeron Teng fired 15 points, including a key layup that pushed the Green Archers ahead, 53-52, with 72 seconds remaining.
Although the son of former pro cager Alvin struggled from the foul line like the rest of his teammates, his lone free throw out of six attempts gave the Archers enough buffer for the final tally.
Teng, a shoo-in for the top rookie plum, also had 10 rebounds to lead three Archers who finished with double-double numbers.
“It’s not really the game we visualized, but we’ll take the win anytime,” said coach Gee Abanilla after his Archers improved to 3-3. “I think LA Revilla’s injury threw us off a little bit.”
La Salle guard Revilla sat out the entire second half due to a severe left ankle sprain.
Yutien Andrada also came through in the clutch for the Archers by scoring all of his six points in the final seven minutes, including a couple of baskets that sandwiched Teng’s layup. The lanky center also grabbed 10 boards and had a couple of blocks.
The Falcons, who lost Alex Nuyles for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury, dropped to sixth with a 1-4 card.
UST’s Jeric Teng—who averages 16 points and has a notable 48-percent clip from three-point range—sustained a medial collateral ligament injury on his left knee.
Ferrer delivered 16 points and Vigil also chipped in 13 markers for the Tigers, who led all the way.
UE, along with idle University of the Philippines, remained winless in five games.
The scores:
First Game
LA SALLE 56—Teng 15, N. Torres 12, Tallo 7, Andrada 6, Mendoza 5, Webb 4, T. Torres 3, Manguera 3, Vosotros 1, Van Opstal 0, Revilla 0.
ADAMSON 52—Monteclaro 12, Cabrera 8, Brondial 8, Rios 7, Cruz 7, Camson 5, Julkipli 2, Abrigo 2, Olalia 1, Trollano 0, Petilos 0, Etrone 0, Cabigas 0, Agustin 0.
Quarters: 18-13, 30-32, 43-40, 56-52
Second Game
UST 85—Abdul 20, Ferrer 16, Vigil 13, Mariano 12, Daquioag 6, Fortuna 5, Pe 4, Lo 3, Bautista 3, Afuang 2, Garrido 1, Tan 0, Haingan 0.
UE 69—Sumido 20, Sumang 13, Galanza 10, Santos 9, Javier 7, Valdez 3, Mena 2, Hernandez 2, Flores 2, Duran 1, Alberto 0, Belleze 0, Villarias 0, Razon 0, Duncil 0.
Quarters: 15-11, 41-23, 60-43, 85-69
