ED DAQUIOAG tried to carry the load for UST but the undermanned Growling Tigers bowed to the San Beda Red Lions, 64-74, in the 2015 FilOil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at the San Juan Arena last May 2.
After a tightly contested first half, the reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball champion managed to pull away against the Growling Tigers after a 20-8 blitz in the third quarter to open a commanding 61-48 lead entering the final frame.
The Tigers relied on the stellar performance of Daquioag who spearheaded an 11-2 run to trim the lead to just 10, 59-69. The veteran guard scored 29 points.
“Learning experience ‘to kasi as of now seven veterans ‘yung hindi naglalaro satin. Pero hindi ganitong outcome ‘yung ineexpect natin kasi lumalaban naman ang mga bata,” head coach Bong dela Cruz said. “Kinulang sa suporta si Ed (Daquioag) pero pagbalik nila Kevin (Ferrer) and Karim (Abdul), maba-balance na ang scoring.”
The Growling Tigers, who dropped to a 1-2 win-loss record, only had three players from their UAAP Season 77 lineup. Ferrer is out with the Sinag Pilipinas national team, while Abdul, Renzo Subido, Reggie Basibas and John Macasaet are still out due to injuries.
Rookie Mario Bonleon and Jon Sheriff added 15 and 10 points, respectively, for the Tigers.
Neither UST nor San Beda pulled away early at the first half. Pierre Tankoua gave San Beda its largest lead of the half, 31-22, at the three-minute mark in the second quarter.
The Tigers led briefly, 32-31, following a 12-4 run capped by a jumper from Sheriff. But San Beda’s Ranbill Tongco drained a buzzer-beater to retake the lead at the half.
The Tigers scored their first victory in the off-season tournament against the Mapua Cardinals, 78-59, behind Bonleon’s 22 points last April 30.
In their opening game, the Tigers dropped a 59-60 heartbreaker against the UE Red Warriors.
BOX SCORE:
UST 64- Daquioag 29, Bonleon 15, Sheriff 10, Vigil 3, Lao 3, Kakonda 2, Magno 2
San Beda 74- Dela Cruz 15, Koga 11, Amer 10, Tankoua 8, Tongco 8, Sara 8, Adeogun 4, Mocon 3, Mendoza 2, Cabanag 2, Sedillo 2, Reyes 1
Quarter scores: 17-21, 32-33, 48-61, 64-74
