Tigers hold hapless Maroons to record shooting low
Still in the hunt for a Final Four berth, University of Santo Tomas continues to do the right things, notably on the defensive end.
The Growling Tigers found University of the Philippines a tough nut to crack in the early goings but came through with a decisive run in the second half to post a masterful 63-39 victory Saturday and seize solo fourth in the UAAP Season 76 men’s cage action at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Veteran forward Aljon Mariano pumped in a game-high 18 points, 12 coming in the last 20 minutes, while four other teammates scored at least seven markers but it was their collective desire to play lockdown defense that enabled the Growling Tigers to pull through.
More than repeating a 79-69 victory in their initial meeting last July 24, UST also essayed its third consecutive win and seventh overall to gain a half-game lead over reigning five-time titlist Ateneo.
The Fighting Maroons, led by Sam Marata’s 12 points, suffered their 12th straight setback.
Ranged against UST’s defensive pressure, UP had a nightmarish outing from the field, making just 15 of its 81 attempts for a horrendous 18.5 percent, the lowest field goal percentage in the league since the current statistical team started compiling statistics in 2003.
The Maroons’ 39-point output was also the lowest output yet by any team this season and since Adamson also had the same score against Ateneo’s 61 last Sept. 3, 2011.
The Main Man: After a so-so outing in the first half, Aljon Mariano made sure his presence was felt in the second half.
The 6-foot-3 power forward scattered 12 points in the second half while serving as one of the forces’ in UST’s decisive breakaway. Mariano also added 10 rebounds, issued three assists and a block.
Honorable Mentions: He struggled to get his usual offensive game going but Cameroon import Karim Abdul flourished defensively for UST.
Although he only had seven points in nine attempts, the 6-foot-6 slotman lorded it over the boards with 21, seven of the coming offensively, then also swatted four shots.
Also giving the Tigers needed offensive punch was comebacking Jeric Teng, who tallied all of his nine points in the second half laced by four rebounds and two assists.
Game Turning Point: After UP pulled within 33-36 off a Paul Desiderio bucket, UST pulled away behind a telling 12-to-nothing run bridging the third and fourth cantos for a 15-point cushion.
Not letting up, the Growling Tigers even employed a suffocating full-court pressure that visibly took the fight out from the Fighting Maroons en route to an emphatic win.
He Said It:
UST coach Pido Jarencio: “Kailangan malaman namin mtumapaos ng maganda. Kailangan may diin para alam namin kung saan talaga pupunta ang team. Hindi pwedeng pa-relax-relax. Mamaya maaksidente pa tayo. ‘Yung killer instinct ang hinahanap ko sa mga players. Kailangan talaga may finishing (kick) kami.”
The scores:
UST (63) – Mariano 18, Ferrer 12, Teng 9, Daquioag 9, Abdul 7, Bautista 3, Pe 2, Lao 1, Tan 0, Sheriff 0, Lo 0, Hainga 0.
UP (39) – Marata 12, Lao 6, Soyud 5, Ball 5, Wong 2, Suarez 2, Gallarza 2, Desiderio 2, Harris 1, Pascual 0, Paras 0, Gingerich 0, Amar 0.
Quarterscores: 14-13, 23-20, 40-33, 63-39.
