Tigers survive gritty Archers in overtime
Stretched to the limit by a stubborn La Salle crew, University of Santo Tomas came through with one final push to pull off a tough win.
With their battle-scarred veterans delivering the needed goods, the Growling Tigers outlasted the Green Archers in overtime, 63-58, to get their UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball title bid going before a sizeable Saturday crowd at the MOA Arena.
Jeric Teng waxed hot all game long with 23 points while combining with Cameroon import Karim Abdul and fellow veteran Aljon Mariano in a big surge late in overtime that enabled UST, last season’s losing finalist, to stave off La Salle in a thrilling finish.
After a Jason Perkins jumper forged a 51-all count and eventually forced a five-minute extension, Abdul racked up six straight points while Teng added three, including a tough fade-away jumper, before Mariano sealed the deal with three pressure-packed free throws.
The 6-foot-6 Abdul, a member of last year’s Mythical Team, went on to finish with 17 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks while Mariano, although slowed down by a foot injury, contributed five markers for the Tigers, who also drew 12 big rebounds from improving center Paolo Pe.
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Almond Vosotros and Fil-Am rookie Jason Perkins tallied 13 points apiece to lead the Green Archers, who ran out of gas in the stretch and failed to give debuting coach Juno Sauler a fitting welcome.
The Main Man: Now playing on his fifth and final year, Jeric Teng is determined to blossom into a multi-dimensional player.
Although at times overshadowed by younger brother Jeron, Jeric Teng proved he’s still the better one–at least on this night–by coming up with a handful of big buckets, including a difficult jumper that went off the glass that gave UST more breathing room 58-53 in overtime.
In contrast, Jeron struggled all game long, fouling out with 52 seconds left in regulation and finishing with only 10 points on 5-of-12 shooting.
Honorable Mention: With no real threat from La Salle to shadow him, Abdul stood tallest just when UST needed him the most.
After laying a big fat egg in the fourth period, the Cameroonian quickly bucked down to work in overtime by outmuscling La Salle defender Norbert Torres for six quick points.
Abdul, as expected, also served as the team’s anchor defensively, coming up with three blocks–a game-best.
Game Turning Point: Instead of getting dismayed after squandering a 13-point lead (28-15) in the early goings and getting dragged into an extended period, the Growling Tigers regrouped, with Abdul and Teng pushing them to a 60-56 lead with 33 ticks left.
Another lay-up by Perkins kept La Salle’s slim hopes alive with 28.7 seconds to go but Mariano typified UST’s poise under duress, sinking one charity after another to keep the win on their bag.
Quotable Quotes:
UST coach Pido Jarencio: “May opening day jitters pa talaga. Masama ang laro nila at masama rin naman nilaro namin. Buti na lang natapos na at kami ang nanalo.”
