THE GROWLING Tigers easily lost steam in the Collegiate Champions League, losing to the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers last Oct. 9 at the UST Gym.
UAAP Mythical Five member Jervy Cruz, the leading scorer for UST, was thrown out of the game in the second canto after receiving two technical fouls. Cruz slapped with his first technical foul after elbowing Bomber Mark Pradas. The second call was given for Cruz’ second motion.
UST lost another scorer in Anthony Espiritu who was fouled out with 2:59 to play in the final period. Espiritu could have salvaged UST’s offensive drought in the final quarter as he is the second best three-point scorer for UST.
After leading at 61-50 to open the fourth quarter, the Tigers, who were still euphoric of a brilliant UAAP Season 69 finish, lost their offensive touch and went scoreless for the next seven minutes. The Bombers took command and exploded in a 0-13 attack in the homestretch.
Tigers sixth man Dylan Ababou stopped the offensive drought for UST by nailing his charities to tie the count at 63, less than three minutes to play. But Bomber Mark Cogoco converted free throws of his own in the ensuing play to salvage the win for JRU. The loss knocked out UST from contention in the Champions League.
“They (UST) were not really fit for this match because they only had less than a week of rest (after the UAAP championships),” assistant coach Rabbi Tomacruz told the Varsitarian.
Midway in the second period, Tigers second stringers Mel Gile and June Dizon were ejected from the game for entering the court after Bomber Marvin Hayes committed an unsportsmanlike foul by hacking UAAP Finals MVP Jojo Duncil. Duncil then retaliated, prompting officials to slap him with a technical foul.
But the Tigers tried to show
no signs of rustiness as they continued to ravage the Heavy Bombers, even posting a 37-25 lead in the second canto courtesy of Cruz’s undergoal stabs.
Chester Taylor shone for the Tigers with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Duncil added 16 points and eight rebounds. With reports from Anthony Andrew G. Divinagracia
