Tigers, Maroons dispute finals slot
Credit to Author: Jeremiah M. Sevilla| Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2019 16:14:04 +0000
University of Sto. Tomas (UST) and University of the Philippines (UP) clash anew for the finals spot in Season 82 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The fourth seed Growling Tigers and the second seed Fighting Maroons will battle it out in the do-or-die semifinal game at 4 p.m. for the right to challenge two-time defending champion Ateneo De Manila University.
UST nullified a twice-to-beat with an 89-69 rout of UP at the Big Dome on Sunday.
The Tigers execute their offense and defense to near perfection, dishing out 23 assists versus the Maroons’ 12 and firing 11 triples against three while also limiting UP’s main man Kobe Paras to just nine points — his first single digit output this season.
It was also UP’s third win in as many encounters with UP this season.
“They’re going to adjust. I think they’re going to be physical. It will be tough for us. It will just depend on how we’ll counter them,” said UST head coach Aldin Ayo of the Maroons.
“Our mindset is if you know how to get there and you are willing to do that, don’t be too worried as long as you do your best. So, we’re going to do our best,” added Ayo, a one-time UAAP champion mentor.
Ayo will lean anew on Most Valuable Player Soulemane Chabi Yo, forward Rhenz Abando and Rookie of the Year Mark Nonoy.
Veteran guard Renzo Subido, who matched UP’s total assists in the previous game, will orchestrate the Tigers’ attack while freshman Sherwin Concepcion and captain CJ Cansino are expected to step up again.
On the other side, UP coach Bo Perasol is urging his wards to to match UST’s aggression.
“The silver lining is that we have another chance and that is going to be the last one for us. If we want to be given the chance to be in the finals again, we have to play better,” said Perasol.
“It couldn’t be one, two or three. It has to be everybody. Against a team that is aggressive, we have to at least match or be better than them.”
Juan Gomez De Liaño and last season’s MVP Bright Akhuetie will lead UP’s fight anew while Paras and seasoned guard Jun Manzo are expected to redeem themselves after emerging scoreless in 18 minutes of play in the the previous game.