Mariano, Bautista deliver as Tigers down Soyud-less Maroons
The University of Santo Tomas couldn't shake off the University of the Philippines, until a pair of veterans stepped up.
With Aljon Mariano and Tata Bautista leading the charge in the payoff canto, the Growling Tigers got back on track with a 79-69 victory while keeping the Fighting Maroons winless in the UAAP Season 76 men’s basketball action at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The 6-foot-3 Mariano tallied a game-high 18 points while the fifth-year guard Bautista added 12 markers, with the two combining for all but six of UST’s 23-point output in the payoff canto.
More than extending their mastery over the reeling Fighting Maroons to 13 straight meetings, the Growling Tigers also rebounded from a 67-77 defeat dealt by pace-setting Far Eastern University last Sunday while keeping their grip on the second spot with a 4-2 record.
Joseph Marata scattered a team-best of 16 points but UP (0-6) sorely missed the services of center Raul Soyud, who served a one-game suspension after incurring two unsportsmanlike fouls. The 6-foot-6 slotman averaged 8.6 points and a team-high 10.8 rebounds in the team’s first five outings.
UP’s last win over UST came in August 31, 2006 via a 70-67 decision.
The Main Man: With Jeric Teng still nursing an injured right shoulder, Mariano took it upon himself to fill the offensive slack.
After scoring eight points in the opening canto, the 6-foot-3 forward also made a big difference in the pivotal quarter, pumping in eight more points as the Tigers broke away for good.
Mariano, looking fresh throughout, also had six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Honorable Mention: Virtually absent in the first 30 minutes of action, Bautista clearly saved his best for last.
Tasked to set up the table, the 5-foot-9 gunner also flourished offensively, drilling in nine of his 12 points in the final period while repeatedly keeping the Fighting Maroons at bay.
Game Turning Point: Holding just a four-point cushion at the break, it was Cameroonian import Karim Abdul and unheralded Kim Lo who initially sparked UST’s big run in the third canto, combining for 17 huge points for a 56-48 lead into the fourth.
From there, Mariano and Bautista took turns in delivering the big blows, with the latter’s triple virtually sealing the deal 73-65 going to the last two minutes.
He Said It:
UST coach Pido Jarencio: “Ang sama nung nakaraan (against FEU). Fourth quarter nag-collapse kami. ‘Yung game na ‘yun, kasalanan ko. Mababaw rotation ko kaya napagod mga players. Ngayon, kahit papaano nagamit ko lahat. Tine-testing ko talaga sino pwedeng makatulong sa mga susunod na games. Lahat nagamit natin at nakatulong ‘yung iba.”
The scores:
UST (79) – Mariano 18, Ferrer 16, Abdul 14, Bautista 12, Lo 9, :So 4, Daquioag 4, Pe 2, Tan 0, Macasaet 0, Lao 0. Hainga 0, Faundo 0.
UP (69) – Marata 16, Lao 9, Wong 7, Pascual 7, Ball 7, Ligad 6, Gingerich 5, Suarez 4, Harris 4, Asilum 4, Gallarza 0.
Quarterscores: 21-15, 35-31, 56-48, 79-69.
