Mariano steps up to lead Tigers past Warriors
No Jeric Teng, no problem for University of Santo Tomas.
Cameroonian center Karim Abdul and veteran Aljon Mariano came through with big offensive outputs while unheralded Ed Daquioag stepped up to the plate with aplomb as the Growling Tigers bounced back with an 88-77 victory over the Charles Mammie-less University of the East Saturday in the UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball action at the MOA Arena.
The 6-foot-6 Abdul fired all but two of his 25 points in the first three quarters on top of 13 rebounds then the fourth year forward Mariano took charge in the fourth canto, collecting 11 of his 24 markers.
Not to be outdone, the 6-foot Daquioag sizzled with a career-high 19 points plus six assists and five rebounds, enough to fill up the slack left by Teng, who sustained a right shoulder injury off NU forward Jeoff Javillonar’ shove the last time out.
More importantly, the three Tigers took their turns in sparking the team’s decisive 14-3 windup that proved enough for UST to recover from a 67-71 defeat dealt by National U last Wednesday while improving to 3-1. The outputs of Mariano, Abdul and Daquioag all represented career-highs.
With the 6-foot-7 Mammie serving a one-game suspension for incurring two unsportsmanlike fouls, the Red Warriors leaned mainly on the superb plays of Roi Sumang, who tallied 20 of his team-high 21 points in the fourth, but UE still fell short, resulting to its third loss in four starts.
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The Main Man: Playing with a sense of urgency, Mariano showed what he is capable of.
Pouncing on the Red Warriors' lack of defensive presence, the 6-foot-3 forward frolicked in the paint, notably in the fourth where he scored 11 huge points.
Mariano also collected 11 rebounds, three assists and a block, proving he is already recovering from his foot injury.
Honorable Mention: More known as a defense-minded guard, Daquioag showed he can also put up the numbers offensively.
The 6-foot guard came off the bench and made his presence felt throughout. His huge 10-point output in the fourth clearly helped the Tigers big time, helping fill the slack left by Teng.
Game Turning Point: In a back-and-forth game that featured 13 lead changes and 11 deadlocks, the Tigers uncorked a decisive 14-3 breakaway in the final 3:10 of play.
After a Ralf Olivares split tied the game at 74-all, UST buckled down defensively while Abdul, Mariano and Daquioag provided the necessary goods before two made free throws by teammate Kevin Ferrer shoved them to 84-74 with 45.2 seconds left.
A triple by Dan Alberto kept UE’s flickering hopes alive but UST wouldn’t be denied, with Daquioag and Mariano putting the icing on the cake.
He Said It:
UST coach Pido Jarencio: “Speechless ako kasi ‘yung mga bata gusto nilang manalo for Jeric. ‘Yung mga players na naiwan, nag-step-up sila for Jeric–almost lahat. I give credit to them. Gusto nilang manalo. Importante kasi, hindi lang 'yung leadership, kung hindi 'yung desire to win. Na kahit anong adversity, 'yung dsire na gusto mong manalo, lalabas lahat 'yun–leadership and composure."
The scores:
UST (88) – Abdul 25, Mariano 24, Daquioag 19, Ferrer 9, Bautista 8, So 3, Tan 0, Pe 0, Marata 0, Lo 0.
UE (77) – Sumang 10, Olivares 15, Javier 10, Casajeros 9, Santos 6, Sumido 3, Jumao-as 3, Hernandez 0, Alberto 3, Noble 2, Flores 2, Galanza 0.
Quarterscores: 16-10, 34-34, 63-56, 88-77.
