Tigers bounce back, send Falcons to sixth straight loss
Injured gunner Jeric Teng sat out again but University of Santo Tomas found enough firepower from other players to finally snap out of a long funk Wednesday night.
With veteran forward Aljon Mariano taking charge in the crunch, the Growling Tigers essayed a confidence-restoring 80-67 victory over the reeling Adamson Falcons to keep their Final Four hopes alive in the UAAP Season 76 men’s cage action at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The 6-foot-3 Mariano pumped in 10 of his 16 points in the fourth canto while Cameroonian center Karim Abdul dished out game-highs of 19 points and 12 rebounds as UST stopped a three-game losing skid while improving to 5-5.
The Falcons, who also dropped a 62-67 decision to the Growling Tigers in their initial meeting last July 6, suffered their sixth consecutive setback for a 3-8 mark, and are now in serious danger of missing the Final Four.
Also helping to ease the offensive load with the absence of the 6-foot-2 Teng was Ed Daquioag, who tallied 17 points, including six in the payoff canto. Back-up guard Sheak Sheriff also help UST’s cause with four points, as many rebounds and three steals in 21 efficient minutes.
The Main Man: Aljon Mariano knew he needed to set up, with UST struggling to find its consistency.
The 6-foot-3 forward buckled down to work in the payoff canto, hitting 10 big markers while serving as the spark in the team’s decisive 10-2 breakaway.
Honorable Mention: Karim Abdul produced impressive numbers again with 19 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and two assists while neutralizing counterpart Ingrid Sewa, who only had six points and nine rebounds.
Also giving the Tigers big helping hand were Ed Daquioag and Sheak Sheriff, who combined for 21 markers, nine rebounds and five assists that proved enough to offset the absence of Teng.
Game Turning Point: With the game still hanging in the balance, Ed Daquioag buried a pair of triples that ignited UST’s 10-3 breakaway that put them finally in total control 68-58 with less than four minutes to play.
Back-to-back buckets by Jericho Cruz kept the Falcons in the hunt but Mariano steadied the Tigers by putting the finishing touches on the win.
He Said It:
UST coach Pido Jarencio: “Ang key dito leadership. Nag-step up si Abdul, lalo ngayong second round, tapos si Aljon naka-contribute.”
The scores:
UST (80) – Abdul 19, Daquioag 17, Mariano 16, Lo 8, Ferrer 8, Bautista 6, Sheriff 4, Hainga 2, Pe 0.
Adamson (67) – Brondial 15, Cruz 13, Trollano 12, Rios 12, Sewa 6, Cabrera 5, Monteclaro 2, Inigo 2, Petilos 0, Julkipli 0, Agustin 0, Abrigo 0.
Quarterscores: 15-18, 31-30, 51-47, 80-67.
