Tigers continue to roll, win fifth in a row

University of Sto. Tomas achieved a milestone Wednesday by establishing the very first five-game winning streak under Coach Pido Jarencio’s tenure courtesy of a methodical 68-58 beating of hard-luck University of the Philippines that forced a three-way tie at the top of the standings of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tigers surpassed last season’s four-game winning streak and won five in a row for the first time since Jarencio took over the coaching chores for the Espana-based squad in 2006. More importantly, the win allowed UST to move up to 5-1 and catch Far Eastern University and defending champion Ateneo at the helm of the eight-team field.

“Pinagpapala pa tayo,” said Jarencio. “Ang sama ng first three quarters namin, hanggang last 2:53 seconds, sinabi ko sa kanila wala pa kaming ginagawang matino. Ang tamad namin tapos hindi kami nag-e-execute. Buti na lang si Karim (Abdul) nag-dominate sa inside.”

The Fighting Maroons, who lost their sixth straight, were still in the thick of things at 55-54 on a split by Chris Ball with less than four minutes left. But Abdul scored inside and Tata Bautista hit a three to spark a 14-4 wind-up as the Maroons once again came up short in the end game.

The Tigers missed ace forward Jeric Teng for the second straight game, but just like the previous game, other players stepped up in his absence.

“Maraming nakatulong,” Jarencio said. “Breakout game ni Kim Lo. Si Tata naka shoot. A win is a win. Kunin ko kahit masama ang laro.”

Lo had a season-high 11 points while Bautista finished with 12. But it was the Cameroonian Abdul’s domination inside the paint that once again spelled the difference for the Tigers.

The bull-strong center came through with another double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds as he mocked all defenders thrown at him by UP Coach Ricky Dandan.

“Ine-expect ko naman talaga na siya ang mag do-dominate dito sa UAAP,” said Jarencio of his prized slotman, before adding in jest, “Kapag hindi siya mag-dominate ngayon, alam niya kung ano ang mangyayari.”

For most of the game, though, UP stuck with UST, and even went ahead 43-42 on a drive by Mark Lopez towards the end of the third period. But as has been their habit all season long, the Maroons simply couldn’t sustain their effort and ran out of gas to remain the only winless team this season.

UST, meanwhile, could finish the first round in first place if the Tigers beat another struggling team, the Adamson Falcons, on Sunday and the Blue Eagles beat the Tamaraws on Saturday, although Jarencio cautioned against taking the 1-5 Falcons lightly, calling them a well-coached team that just hasn’t jelled yet.

“Kahit papaano nandiyan na kami sa taas. Sana magtuloy-tuloy ito,” Jarencio said. “Huwag na sanang putulin.”

If they are to sustain their streak, they may have to do it without Teng, their versatile forward who is still nursing a knee injury. Jarencio said Teng has made some progress in his rehabilitation, but doesn’t want to rush things.

“Kausap ko ang physical therapist namin,” said Jarencio. “Ina-assess pa siya. Pero maganda ang recovery niya. Wala na masyadong pain. Mahirap ang kulang ang pahinga at kulang ang gamot. Siguro sa second round siya makakabalik.”