26 October 2019
By Maxine Louise Lagman
ANTIPOLO – University of Santo Tomas delivered under pressure and made sure not to repeat their first round encounter with the Adamson University with a stunning 80-74 win on Saturday to fight for a playoff berth in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Growling Tigers ended the elimination round with an 8-6 win-loss record, and at the same time, clinched at least a playoff in the next round. However, their victory puts more pressure to the other teams: University of the Philippines (8-4), Far Eastern University (7-6), and De La Salle University (6-6).
Adamson did not made it easy for UST. Down 10 points in the third quarter, the Soaring Falcons went for a 12-2 run to tie the game at 67-all, five minutes left in the game.
But the Growling Tigers answered back with a 9-2 blast of their own after three consecutive triples from Renzo Subido, Mark Nonoy, and Sherwin Concepcion for a 76-69 lead, 1:36 left.
Jerrick Ahanmisi fought back with his own trey, to inch within three, 74-77, 11 seconds remaining. But that proved to be Adamson’s last score as Subido shut them down with three of his four freebies to ice the game.
“Mababa lang naman expectation namin,” said UST head coach Aldin Ayo. “Since we won eight, may talong naidagdag [from last season], okay na yun, but of course, we’re not gonna stop there because this is a competition. We’re going to strive.”
Nonoy paced the Tigers with 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Soulemane Chabi Yo had a double-double record of 16 markers and 15 boards. Rhenz Abando chipped in 13 points and six boards, while Subido had 12 points, seven assists, and two boards in the win.
UST will have to wait the results of UP (vs La Salle, vs Ateneo), FEU (vs UE), and DLSU (vs UP, vs Adamson) to find out their next match up.
On the other hand, Joem Sabandal led Adamson with 18 points as they dropped to a 4-9 slate.
The Scores:
UST 80 – Nonoy 17, Chabi Yo 16, Abando 13, Subido 12, Concepcion 8, Paraiso 5, Cansino 4, Ando 2, Huang 2, Bataller 1
ADAMSON 74 – Sabandal 18, Ahanmisi 11, Camacho 10, Douanga 7, Chauca 6, Lastimosa 6, Fermin 4, Manlapaz 3, Mojica 3, Bernardo 2, Magbuhos 2, Yerro 2, Flowers 0
QUARTER SCORES: 26-22, 43-42, 65-55, 80-74
Follow the writer on Twitter: @meanxi
