NOT IN our house.
The UST Growling Tigers proved to be unaccommodating hosts as they defeated the visiting Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals 97-94 in a tune-up game at the UST Gymnasium last April 13.
Warren De Guzman scored 14 points, including seven in the final period, to help UST thwart a furious fourth quarter rally by Mapua.
The Tigers appeared to be on the brink of collapse after an errant pass by Japs Cuan gave Mapua the ball with 46 seconds left and UST leading, 95-93. In the ensuing play, Mapua’s Tristan Vesanga made the front end of his free throws to cut the UST lead to one point.
Jojo Duncil, however, made the key play of the game for UST as he was fouled while trying to follow up De Guzman’s missed lay-up. With nine seconds left, Duncil converted both his free throws to put the game out of Mapua’s reach. Mapua tried to tie the game but Jerby Del Rosario’s three-point attempt bounced off the rim.
The España-based dribblers were in control for most of the game, ending the first half with a 60-51 advantage behind Anthony Espiritu’s 10 points.
The Tigers also displayed sharp shooting, making 11 shots from beyond the arc. Mapua only had four.
UST coach Nel Parado took advantage of the lax rules of the game to experiment with different combinations, fielding 18 different players against Mapua’s 10.
Raymond Tingco led Mapua with 19 points.
