Games Sunday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
7:30 a.m. – Ateneo vs La Salle (16U)
9:30 a.m. – FEU vs Adamson (16U)
11:30 a.m. – FEU vs Adamson (women’s)
1:30 p.m. – FEU vs Adamson (men’s)
4:30 p.m. – Ateneo vs La Salle (men’s)
7 p.m. – Ateneo vs La Salle (women’s)
By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of Santo Tomas rediscovered its winning form and staved off University of the East’s gallant comeback, 111-99, for a solo third in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila Saturday, Oct. 4.
It was a tooth-and-nail contest in the first two quarters as the Tigers led by only 4 points at the break, 59-55, before the España-based squad stepped on the gas and sped away to a commanding 79-62 advantage via a 20-7 attack – which was capped off by Amiel Acido’s triple.
From there, the Tigers gamely answered every run the Warriors made to preserve their lead and coast to their third win in four starts.
The Warriors, who had storied rivalry with the Tigers in the past, absorbed their fourth straight loss.
The win gave the Pido Jarencio-crew a morale booster after suffering a 69-76 loss to National University.
Both NU and Ateneo are currently tied for the lead with similar 3-0 records.
Nic Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao expectedly led UST 22 and 18 points, respectively. Amiel Acido and Mark Llemit added 11 each.
But the interesting story for the game was Collins Akowe.
Held to only five points against NU, Akowe bounced back with a monstrous double-double effort of 18 points and 17 rebounds with two assists and three blocks.
Drayton Caoile had his breakthrough game off 23 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals for but all his efforts went down the drain.
John Abate did score 27 points on top of three rebounds, seven assists, and two steals – but these numbers were enough to stop UST’s concerted effort.
Meanwhile in women’s basketball, UST flexed its might right away and obliterated UE, 99-42, for its third consecutive triumph.
The Growling Tigresses whipped up an early storm that saw them surge to a commanding lead which they valiantly protected to go three in a row.
Oma Onianwa topped UST with 17 points which went with six rebounds, two assists, and one block. Kent Pastrana and Breana Pineda added 13 points each.
“We’re happy na ‘yung game plan namin nasunod naman [and] at the start of the season naman, I told my team na kailangan we focus on our individual and team defense,” UST head coach said Ong said. “I think we want na lahat ng opponents namin ay below their average every time we go against them.”
Ivy Yañez and Rachel Lacayanga conspired for 22 points in a losing effort for UE.
The scores (men’s basketball):
UST (111) – Cabañero 22, Padrigao 18, Akowe 18, Acido 11, Llemit 11, Calum 9, Danting 9, Crisostomo 8, Bucsit 3, Buenaflor 2, Paranada 0, Estacio 0.
UE (99) – Abate 27, Caoile 23, Momowei 16, Tañedo 11, Datumalim 9, Malaga 6, Lagat 3, Jimenez 2, Rosete 2, Robles 0, Cruz-Dumont 0, Despi 0.
Quarterscores: 29-31, 59-55, 83-67, 111-99
The scores (women’s basketball):
UST (99) – Onianwa 17, Pastrana 13, Pineda 13, Sierba 11, Ambos 8, Maglupay 7, E. Danganan 6, Santos 6, Pascador 4, N. Danganan 4, Reliquette 4, McAlary 2, Bron 2, Serrano 2, Dajao 0.
UE (42) – Yañez 12, Lacayanga 10, Vacalares 8, Buscar 6, Ronquillo 3, Lumibao 3, Dalguntas 0, Onate 0, Lituania 0, Delig 0, Ramos 0, Trinidad 0, Solomon 0, Guillim 0, Gomez 0, Salise 0.
Quarterscores: 25-5, 52-20, 77-31, 99-42
