April 26, 2015, 1:14 p.m. – AN UNDERMANNED UST Growling
Tigers dropped a close 59-60 decision against the University of the East Red
Warriors to open the 2015 FilOil Flying V Premier Cup at the San Juan Arena
Saturday.
Down one with 17 seconds to go, the Growling Tigers missed
three attempts allowing the Red Warriors to secure the win.
The injury-plagued Tigers only had three players from their
UAAP Season 77 lineup. Kevin Ferrer is out suiting up with the Sinag Pilipinas
national team, while Karim Abdul, Louie Vigil, Renzo Subido, Reggie Basibas,
Jeepy Faundo and John Macasaet are all out due to injuries.
Mario Bonleon led UST with 17 points, but missed two shots,
including an open three-pointer, down the stretch. Ed Daquioag added 12
markers.
After trailing 47-48 heading into the fourth quarter, the
Tigers ignited a 9-3 run to take a 56-51 lead.
But Red Warriors Paul Varilla and Joshua Gonzales buried
back-to-back threes to set up the dramatic finish.
Varilla paced UE with 10 baskets.
“Maganda naman yung pinakita ng mga bata, nagustuhan ko
yung intensity nila. Kahit wala yung ibang veterans, they played their hearts
out,” head coach Bong dela Cruz said.
In the second period, the Tigers stormed back from a
10-point deficiency with a blistering 17-4 run to take a 32-29 lead at the
half.
UST will try to bounce back against the Mapua Cardinals on
April 25, 5 p.m. at the same venue. Delfin Ray M. Dioquino
***
BOX SCORE:
UST 59 – Bonleon 17, Daquioag 12, Sheriff 8, Lao 7, Lee 4,
Huang 3, Decapia 3, Caunan 3, Magno 2.
UE 60 – Varilla 10, GOnzales 9, Javier 8, Awana 7, Manalang
5, Abanto 4, Alberto 4, Penuela 4, Batiller 3, De Leon 2, Palma 2
Quarter scores: 14-17, 32-29, 47-48, 59-60
