Almost but not quite: UST Tigers escape Adamson Falcons anew

The University of Santo Tomas escaped falling to the Adamson University Falcons anew with a 61-59 win, Saturday afternoon at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

With Karim Abdul still recovering from a recent illness, the Tigers struggled to find their rhythm all game long. It took a key basket from Louie Vigil, four crucial offensive rebounds, and a free throw from Aljon Mariano all in the game’s final two minutes to rescue the Tigers from a second straight loss.

The Adamson Falcons almost got a taste of sweet victory in the two teams' first meeting back on July 26. In that game, they led by five points heading into the fourth quarter but lost by a single point, 50-49.

This time, the Falcons also led by four points after two early baskets in the fourth quarter but they could not get the baskets they needed in the end-game.

Vigil led the Tigers with 13 points including the jumper that gave the Tigers the advantage for good. He added five rebounds to his tally.

Don Trollano had another good showing for Adamson with 16 points and 10 rebounds but he was once again painfully short of a win.

UST raised its record to 4-4 while Adamson fell further back at 0-8.

After allowing UST to retake the lead off a 6-0 run, a triple from Jansen Rios gave Adamson a 52-50 lead with less than a minute remaining in the third quarter. However, Sheriff tied the game at 52-all heading into the final quarter.

Axel Inigo opened the fourth with a go-ahead basket for Adamson. Trollano added a layup in their next possession to double their lead at 56-52.

The Tigers regained the lead at the 5:25 mark of the fourth after a basket from Kevin Ferrer but Rios quickly took the lead back for Adamson, 59-58, after Rios scored off an alley-oop play.

Without Abdul down low for UST, the Falcons packed the paint to force the Tigers to take long shots. As a result, UST failed to get baskets but the Falcons failed to cash in as they turned the ball over on their end.

Vigil canned a jumper with 1:51 left in the game to give UST a 60-59 advantage. After the Falcons came up empty on their end, the Tigers missed on four field goal attempts but got the offensive rebounds on all the misses.

The last rebound, grabbed by Aljon Mariano, came with 10 seconds left in the game forcing Adamson to commit a foul. Mariano was sent to the line after two more fouls from the Falcons but he only managed a split. Facing a 61-59 deficit, Adamson had one last shot to end their losing streak  with 7.3 seconds left in the clock but William Polican missed a triple at the buzzer.

The Main Man: For a moment, the Tigers forgot to go to Vigil in the fourth quarter but when they did, he made sure he’d deliver. Vigil rattled in a jumper at the 1:51 mark of the fourth and grabbed one of four crucial offensive caroms late in game to give UST the victory.

Honorable Mentions: Jamil Sheriff did not score a lot but he was the difference for the Tigers elsewhere as he scored 7 points while adding 5 rebounds, three assists, and a whopping six steals. Ed Daquioag also played a good game with 11 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Game Turning Point: Although the game was not over until Adamson missed on their final attempt, the game turned after the Falcons allowed multiple offensive rebounds. They were packing the paint effectively but UST’s long shots turned to long rebounds, which the Falcons were not able to get.

They Said It:

UST head coach Bong Dela Cruz: Their zone defense clicked today. Good thing we were able to grab offensive rebounds.

UST forward Aljon Mariano: Lahat kailangan mag-step up dahil wala si Karim. Kailangan namin kumuha ng mga panalo.

Quarters: 19-12, 35-39, 52-52, 61-59