BRENT Paraiso and Renzo Subido sank two crucial triples in the final minute of regulation as the UST Growling Tigers survived the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 84-78, in their injury-plagued UAAP Season 82 second-round match at the Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday.
A Kobe Paras triple gave UP a 4-point lead with 1:42 left, but the Tigers responded with a 10-0 run to keep their Final Four hopes alive as they claimed solo third place with a 6-5 win-loss card. UP remained at solo second with a 6-4 record.
CJ Cansino drilled three of UST’s seven 3-pointers in the opening period. The Tigers went cold from deep down the stretch, but found their rhythm again late to set a season-high 16 triples.
Both Paras and Mark Nonoy fell to injuries in the second quarter, where UST built a seven-point lead. Both stars came back in the second half.
UST scored 24 points off 17 UP turnovers while only committing a league-low six.
“I told them to make every possession count and execute the plays… [As for the 16 triples,] I wasn’t really aware because we’re used to it. Natural sa’min ‘yon,” Growling Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo told the Varsitarian.
Sherwin Concepcion led the Tigers with a career-high 16 points, including five triples. Cansino scored a season-high 12, while Soulemane Chabi-Yo had 14 points and 10 boards.
Paras scored 18 markers with five boards. Jun Manzo and Ricci Rivero had 12 points apiece.
In an interview with the Varsitarian, Ayo said he opted to bench Abando during the match as he was concerned that the recruitment controversy might distract the team.
READ: Tigers to keep Abando as coach growls at recruiters
UST will next face the National University Bulldogs on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
