Tigers stop Maroons to force semis rubber match
Credit to Author: THE MANILA TIMES| Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2019 11:20:50 +0000
University of Santo Tomas (UST) ignited a scorching start then banked on a solid finish as it ripped University of the Philippines (UP), 89-69, to force a do-or-die semifinal game in Season 82 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Growling Tigers roared to an early 18-point lead and foiled the Fighting Maroons’ late fightback to erase the latter’s twice-to-beat edge and forge a decider for the remaining finals spot in front of over 17,000 fans.
“It’s all about execution, both on offense and defense. We executed our game plan and my players followed all the instructions,” said UST head coach Aldin Ayo, whose wards showed composure amids UP’s comeback bid in the closing stretch.
“That (composure) is what we’re praying for. We’re praying that as the season progresses, they’d mature. And they really learned,” added Ayo.
Season MVP Soulemane Chabi Yo and prized recruit Rhenz Abando paced the Tigers’ balanced offense with 17 points apiece, with the former also tallying 15 rebounds, four steals and two assists.
Rookie of the Year Mark Nonoy came up big with 16 points, freshman forward Sherwin Concepcion chipped in 12 markers on four triples and captain CJ Cansino added 11 points in the crucial victory.
UST waxed hot from beyond the arc, knocking down 11 triples out of 36 attempts against UP’s measly 3-of-11.
The Tigers and the Maroons will tangle in the semifinal rubber match on November 13 at the Mall of Asia Arena, with the winner getting the right to face the three-peat seeking Ateneo De Manila University in the best-of-three finals starting on November 16.
Cansino and Abando combined forces to spark a blistering 19-5 run that propelled the Tigers to a 38-18 lead late in the first half.
UST was in cruise control until UP tried to mount a comeback, inching within 63-72 on Kobe Paras’ basket with 3:14 left in the game.
Sherwin Concepcion and Mark Nonoy buried back-to-back triples, Chabi Yo sank two putbacks then Nonoy hit the dagger three-pointer to power the Tigers’ 13-2 killing blow, 85-65, with 50.6 seconds remaining.
Juan Gomez De Liaño’s season-high 20 points and Nigerian center Bright Akhuetie’s double-double of 19 markers and 18 boards went for naught as UP wasted away its win-once bonus.
Ricci Rivero was the other double-digit scorer with 12 points while veteran playmaker Jun Manzo went scoreless in 18 minutes of action for the last season’s finalist. JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA