10 October 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
Manila, Philippines – The sea of black and gold chanted “Go USTe” for the second consecutive time as the rookie-filled University of Santo Tomas overpowered University of the Philippines, 86-72, in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Rookie CJ Cansino filled the stat sheets for the Growling Tigers as he led his pack with 16 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while another first-year player, Kenneth Zamora chipped in 12 markers in the win.
The win tied UST with UP, both standing at fifth place in the tournament with a 3-4 record.
UST showed their aggressiveness from the get-go as Cansino led a 12-2 rally, which eventually ballooned their lead to 15, 31-16.
The Growling Tigers only pushed harder to stretch their lead to a big 24-point cushion, 53-29, to end the first half of the game.
UP tried to fight off the Tigers after the break, but their sloppy defensive plays just made it easier for UST to score more baskets and stretch their lead to 30, 76-46.
Trying to make a comeback in the payoff period, the Fighting Maroons could only cut the lead to 14, 83-69, before the time ran out and sealed the win for the Tigers.
Renzo Subido finished with 13 markers and six dimes, while Marvin Lee chipped in 11 points. Zachary Huang flirted with a double-double of nine points and 13 boards.
Bright Akhuetie led UP with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Diego Dario added 10 markers in the losing effort.
Stalwart brothers Javi and Juan fell short from their usual record of 12 and nine points, respectively.
The Scores:
UST 86 – Cansino 16, Subido 13, Zamora 12, Lee 11, Huang 9, Caunan 8, Bonleon 7, Agustin 5, Mahinay 2, Bataller 2, Marcos 1, Cosejo 0.
UP 72 – Akhuetie 18, Gomez de Liaño Ja 12, Dario 10, Gomez de Liaño Ju 9, Desiderio 6, Murrell 6, Vito 3, Lim 2, Spencer 2, Tungcab 2, Gozum 2, Manzo 0, Jaboneta 0.
Quarters: 31-16, 53-29, 76-46, 86-72.
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