THEY may have been the least favored team coming into UAAP Season 73, but University of Santo Tomas is proving that it isn’t a pushover.

The Growling Tigers prevailed over National University, 59-58, at the Araneta Coliseum last Thursday, July 29. Bouncing back from a hairline loss to the Adamson Falcons last Sunday, the Tigers showed that they have more to offer than just three-point shooting.

“Hindi bumitaw ang mga bata,” noted UST head coach Pido Jarencio. “Gusto talaga nilang manalo, ako naman taga-guide lang,” he added. The Tigers were not spectacular from the outside against the Bulldogs, as they only made seven out of 19 attempts from beyond the arc, but were able to sink crucial baskets.

The Growling Tigers, anchored on Chris Camus, were able to recover at the start of the second half, leading by as much as five, 34-29. But the Bulldogs fought hard to forge ahead and grabbed the lead at the end of the third canto, 41-38 after a 6-0 run led by big man Jewel Ponferrada.

Ponferrada opened the final quarter with a quick basket, but Tigers Clark Bautista and Jeric Fortuna answered with back-to-back triples to give UST the lead once again, 44-43. Bautista hit another three-pointer to counteract Bulldog Kokoy Hermosisima’s own version to help UST maintain the lead 47-46.

Mervin Baloran’s three points from the charity stripe gave the Bulldogs a two-point lead near the seven minute mark of the final canto, 49-47. UST’s Carmelo Afuang tied the game with less than six minutes remaining at 49 apiece. The Tigers grabbed the lead courtesy of another Bautista trey, 52-49, in the final five minutes of the ballgame. But Afuang was the hero for the Tigers as he converted in their last three possessions. He fortified their win via a three-pointer with two minutes remaining, 59-53. A costly turnover by the Bulldogs, after Hermosisima hit a trey, did not help NU’s cause. As a result, they fell to sixth place with a 2-3 win-loss record while the Growling Tigers are tied for third with the DLSU Green Archers, with 3-2 records.

“Naisip ko lang libre ako, kaya tinira ko,” said Afuang of his crucial three-pointer. “Ang sabi ni coach, wag kaming matakot tumira basta libre kami,” he added.

NU’s prized recruit, Emmanuel Mbe, was held down to ten points, thanks to Camus’ steady defense. “Ang sabi ko, makipagpalitan sila ng mukha kay Mbe,” remarked Jarencio. Camus and UST did just that and Jarencio was pleased with the way they played defense.

“Doon kami bumawi sa depensa,” said Jarencio. “Undersized kami, pero lumalaban,” he added.

Afuang scored a team-high 15 points along with five rebounds, two steals and one block. Bautista registered 14 points, making four out of six shots from beyond the arc.

Ponferrada led the Bulldogs with 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. W1

The scores:

UST 59 – Afuang 15, Bautista 14, Camus 11, Teng 6, Fortuna 6, Pe 4, Mariano 3, Wong 0, Tinte 0, Mamaril 0, Lo 0, Daquioag 0, Aytona 0.

NU 58 – Ponferrada 12, Baloran 11, Mbe 10, Terso 8, Hermosisima 6, Ludovice 4, Tungcul 3, Khobuntin 2, Javillonar 2, Ignacio 0, Eriobu 0, Singh 0, Malanday 0, Magat 0.

Quarter scoring: 13-10, 22-25, 38-41, 59-58.

Source: inboundpass.com