By Jun Ray Navarres
Ateneo de Manila University clinched their second straight win after fending off University of Santo Tomas in their own home court, 67-64, in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, Saturday.
Down 28-35 early in the third period, UST charged a 11-2 run to overtake Ateneo, 39-37. However, it was short lived as Andrew Bongo and Ian Espinosa immediately retaliated for a 48-41 third quarter.
UST stayed behind Ateneo’s trail in the final period, leading to a fast break opportunity of Nic Cabañero against Chris Koon which he converted to cut the lead down to two, 64-62.
Still down by only two with 16.6 seconds left, the Growling Tigers had a chance to tie or even take the lead, but Forthsky Padrigao threw a careless inbound pass to Cabañero which resulted in an open layup of Sean Quiteves, 66-62, with 11.2 sec left.
Kyle Paranada cut the deficit back down to two with a breakaway layup, 64-66 with 7.3 sec remaining but Espinosa split his trip down the charity line to secure the win for Ateneo.
“Entering second round I told the rookies and the team, moving on second round wala ng rookies rookies, alam na natin yung experience ng UAAP so dapat alam na natin kung paano maging composed kasi knowing no’ng first round nawawala kami sa mga crucial na situation,” said Espinosa who finished with 11 points and six rebounds while being plus-17 in efficiency.
Bongo led the Blue Eagles in scoring with 14 points along with seven rebounds.
Koon and Shawn Tuano provided 10 points a-piece to help Ateneo secure their third win and tie with Far Eastern University at sixth. Ateneo looks to continue winning ways against Adamson University at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
UST, on the other hand, absorbed their third straight loss in the season. Cabañero provided 18 points while FSA Mo Tounkara was suspended due to two technical fouls in their last game against De La Salle University.
The Tigers of España hope to end their slump on Oct 27 against FEU at the same Pasay venue.
Images courtesy of UAAP Media Bureau
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