UAAP: Tigers squeak past Tamaraws to go up 2-0

Ed Daquiaog comes through in clutch anew for the the Tigers. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

University of Santo Tomas leaned on its veterans Ed Daquioag and Kevin Ferrer to take down this year’s favorites Far Eastern University, 72-71, in the UAAP Season 78 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Daquioag and Ferrer scored all of UST’s 18 fourth-quarter points to lift the Growling Tigers to a 2-0 record atop the standings along with University of the Philippines.

“The boys played very well today. They showed their hearts and they really wanted to win so they refused to break,” said UST head coach Bong dela Cruz.

Daquioag poured 12 of his game-high 18 points in the payoff period where the Tigers regained control of the ballgame after blowing an 11-point lead.

“I was challenged with what coach told me at halftime. He told us that we need to show our mental toughness and I just proved him that I have that,” Daquioag told reporters.

The Growling Tigers had a 46-35  lead in the third quarter before the Tamaraws went on 15-0 run anchored by Roger Pogoy.

But the fourth quarter belonged to the Tigers’ two graduating players as Ferrer nailed back-to-back triples before Daquioag finished off what his teammate started and scored his team’s last six points including a steal and breakaway layup for a 72-69 cushion with 1:41 left.

Russel Escoto hit a long two with his right foot stepping on the 3-point line that cut FEU’s deficit to one with 51.8 seconds left.

Jamil Sheriff muffed two free throws that would’ve given UST a three-point cushion before the Tigers made the defensive stop—forcing Tams guard Mike Tolomia to commit his 10th turnover of the game as time ran out.

Tolomia had a forgetful game just three days after his impressive 17-point outing in FEU’s rout of Ateneo. Mac Belo had 17 while Pogoy scored 13 for the Tamaraws.