A PREDATOR’S debut.
The UST Tiger Cubs made mincemeat of a listless Far Eastern University-B Junior Tamaraws squad, 91-50, to jumpstart its campaign in the 12th Fr. Martin’s Cup 2006 Nike Summer League last April 22 at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym.
Armed with a relentless half-court trapping defense, the Tiger Cubs virtually sealed the deal as early as the end of the third quarter after posting the biggest lead of the game at 75-40.
Center Jonathan Cunanan led the Tiger Cubs with 18 points, including six in a 15-2 first quarter run that set the tone of the match.
“We played good by showing aggressiveness,” said Tiger Cubs coach Allan Asque, who shuffled his wards on the floor effectively.
Down by 21 points at the half, the Tamaraws unleashed its three-guard combination of Arjay Argamino, Japeth Almario and Paulo Talavera in an effort to offset the tight backcourt defense of the Tiger Cubs. But the Morayta-based dribblers ran into a maze of turnovers, seven alone on passing miscues that sparked a 10-3 UST surge midway into the third period, 64-32.
The España-based cagers registered 17 assists compared with the Tamaraws’ two. UST also had the edge on fastbreak points, 28-10.
The relatively smaller Tiger cubs also outrebounded the taller Tamaraws, 51-30.
Despite the easy victory, Asque expressed concern about the team’s lapses.
“We need to lessen our passing errors and develop our speed to avoid cheap reach-in fouls,” he said. “As of now, I believe, we have a long way to go.”
Cunanan received able support from Julius Reyes, who netted 12 points, while forwards Carl Laconico and Eyen Ledesma had 11 apiece.
Justine Guiao paced the Tamaraws with 10 points, while Argamino, who fouled out in the fourth quarter, added nine of his own.
