IN A SHOWDOWN of collegiate hoops champions, the UST Growling Tigers emerged triumphant for their resiliency down the stretch.
Reigning Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) titlist UST again withstood end-game pressure to down National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champions San Beda Red Lions in a 74-71 come-from-behind win in the Unity in Sports basketball exhibition last Feb. 25 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
With UST on a 53-61 deficit midway in the pay-off period, UAAP’s Mr. Clutch and 2006 Finals MVP Jojo Duncil powered the Tigers’ rally as he nailed 11 of his team-high 23 points for a 71-67 UST lead, 1:55 to go.
But the Red Lions bounced back quickly with baskets from JR Taganas and Arnel Suguitan to tie the score at 71. Duncil, however, again came to the rescue on both ends of the court and iced the win with three free throws after fishing fouls off his offensive rebounds to defeat the Lions.
“We are playing in the battle of the champions so we really played to win,” Duncil, who is set to play for the RP team (PBL delegation) to the Southeast Asian Basketball Association championships next month in Jakarta, told the Varsitarian.
Coach Pido Jarencio’s wards looked headed for disaster after a lethargic start in the fourth, enabling San Beda to mount an 8-0 run, five minutes left in the game. But just like a true champion, UST drilled the shots during the times that mattered most and played pesky defense to foil San Beda’s repeated attempts at the basket.
After a tight first half action, UST played a lethargic third canto that made way for a 38-51 San Beda lead. UST, however, quickly recuperated and staged a 15-2 blast of their own to tie the ballgame at 53.
The two fabled ball clubs then exchanged baskets that made the exhibition game go down the wire.
Season 69 sensational rookie Jervy Cruz added 12 points, while San Beda’s Ogie Menor registered a game-high 28 points.
UST played with newbies Kiko Soriano, Khazim Mirza, and Rum Perry Scott, but minus former team captain Allan Evangelista (who is graduating this year) and Chester Taylor (who is out due to injury), while the Lions paraded new recruits in Eric Suguitan, Mike Galinato, and former Far Eastern University Tamaraw Jerome Villanueva, but without stalwarts Sam Ekwe, Pong Escobal, and Yousif Aljamal who were all plagued with injuries.
Regarding who said UST won because the Lions’ key players were absent, Duncil said the other Lions could have stepped up for their teammates who were not around.
“During our UAAP campaign, my teammates did step up when I was sick, and that gave us all a good fight.” Duncil said.
The exhibition game was a brainchild of the EDSA People Power Commission and Spirit of EDSA Foundation. Also helping to organize it were the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, and Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. Llanesca T. Panti
