THERE’S no stopping University of Santo Tomas’s (UST) run as the young Growling Tigers mauled the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 78-70, in Season 81 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Zachary Huang scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead UST to an elimination-round sweep of the favored FEU squad. The Tigers escaped with a 76-74 first-round victory last month.
Marvin Lee also played a key role with his 17 points, five assists and two steals as the Growling Tigers leveled their record to 4-4 won-lost at the start of the second round.
“We played well again. We executed our game plan. The boys showed their strengths because we really prepared for this,” UST Head Coach Aldin Ayo said.
The first-year mentor for UST has his eyes on for the bigger prize.
“It’s still a long way to go. We’re not going to be contented with these wins. We’re going to continue working hard and compete,” Ayo added.
The seasoned Tamaraws saw their three-game winning streak snapped by a bunch of neophytes.
Ateneo wore down University of the Philippines (UP), 83-66, to regain the solo lead.
Thirdy Ravena provided the numbers with 20 points, 10 rebounds and two steals as the Blue Eagles improved to six wins against two losses.
With the victory, Ateneo broke a tie from the second-running Adamson University (5-2) and third place FEU (5-3).
Tyler Tio chipped in 12 points and five assists, while Raffy Verano and Jolo Mendoza tallied 10 points apiece.
From a 48-all deadlock in the last two minutes of the third period, Ateneo escaped with a 13-2 salvo with eight points coming from Mendoza.
The Fighting Maroons unleashed mini runs, but their Katipunan neighbors protected their lead to the end.
Bright Akhuetie topscored for UP with 20 points that went with eight rebounds.
The Maroons fell to a 3-5 card.
Despite facing a squad that dealt season favorites Adamson University and Ateneo a sound beating in the first round, UST, which has nine rookies on board, never faltered from the get-go as seniors Huang and Lee led a first-half attack that gave them a 37-33 advantage at the half.
FEU’s Richard Escoto scored six of his 12 points in the third quarter and forge a 49-all count entering the payoff period. But Lee buried back-to-back triples in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter to spark an 8-3 rally.
Huang hit a jumper to make it 65-54, the biggest lead of the game, with 3:57 left, and the Growling Tigers took care of business and fended off the comeback attempts of the Tamaraws in the waning minutes.
Tolentino was the only double-figure scorer for FEU with 11 points that went with 11 rebounds. The Tamaraws dropped to their third setback in eight games.
Image credits: Alysa Salen