20 July 2014, 8:28 p.m. – THE UST Growling Tigers withstood a late rally to fend off the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 69-67, in their UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball showdown at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, Sunday.
Kevin Ferrer came up with a team-high 18 points, including back-to-back treys late in the game, to lead the Growling Tigers to their first win of the season.
Reserve forward Kent Lao posted a career-high 14 markers off the bench, capped by a game-clinching breakaway layup.
UST improved to a 1-1 win-loss card.
Leading by three, 53-50, entering the fourth period, UST turned the ball over on three straight possessions as FEU went on an 8-0 run and gain the advantage.
The Tigers regained their composure and mounted a 14-4 rally to take a 67-62 lead with less than a minute remaining.
FEU put up a late scare after a Russel Escoto triple trimmed the lead down to two, 67-65, but Lao converted an uncontested fastbreak layup to seal the game.
“Nag-prepare kami for this game, nag-execute kami and nag-deliver ‘yung mga bata. Napag-usapan namin ‘yun last game at pinakita nila kung paano maglaro ang UST Tigers ngayon,” UST head coach Bong Dela Cruz said.
Dela Cruz also credited Lao’s solid offensive game as the reserve forward shot six of eight from the field, including back-to-back triples in the third period that swung the momentum for UST.
“Maganda ‘yung pinakitang laro ni Lao, expect na mas magagamit namin siya,” Dela Cruz said.
“Ginawa ko lang lahat ng sinabi ni coach and wala na akong inisip na iba,” Lao said, who admitted that it was his first time to earn extra minutes in a big game and just made the most of his touches.
Co-captain Karim Abdul contributed 16 points and 6 rebounds for UST. Mac Belo paced the Tamaraws with 19 points.
Up next for the Tigers are the Adamson Falcons on July 26 at the MOA Arena. J. D. G. Saynes
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BOX SCORES
UST 69 – Ferrer 18, Abdul 16, Lao 14, Subido 6, Daquioag 5, Vigil 4, Mariano 4, Sheriff 2, Pe 0, Basibas 0, Gayosa 0, Lo 0
FEU 67 – Belo 19, Tolomia 14, Hargrove 8, Escoto Ru. 8, Inigo 5, Tamsi 5, Cruz 4, Dennison 2, Jose 2, Pogoy 0, Denila 0, Escoto Ri. 0, David 0, Delfinado 0
Quarter scores: 12-13, 31-26, 53-50, 69-67
