Sherwin Concepcion and Dave Ando combined to make sure University of Santo Tomas clinched the third win of its campaign with a 72-61 victory over University of the East in the second round of the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Tuesday, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Concepcion sank 17 points behind five-out-of-nine three-point shooting. But he scored his last and most important three-pointer to give the Growling Tigers a 72-61 cushion – their highest lead of the ballgame, with 35.3 seconds left in the game.
It was a come-from-behind victory for UST, though. The Growling Tigers were behind as much as 5-15 at the 3:57 mark of the first quarter courtesy of Jeremy Cruz’s and-one play.
UST then turned things around in the third quarter when a 9-1 run ignited by Ando gave the Growling Tigers a 54-51 edge heading into the final period.
Ando followed Concepcion’s lead with 16 points and 12 rebounds while Nic Cabanero contributed 11 points.
“Tyinaga lang namin yung first three quarters,” said UST coach Jinino Manansala. “Salitan eh. Dikitan ang laban. Ngayon nahanap namin yung kung sino dapat ang scorer. Ito katabi ko si Ando. Career high niya.”
UST’s bench mob was key since it produced 36 points to UE’s 13. The Growling Tigers also seized 55 rebounds to the Red Warriors’ 43.
Kyle Paranada led UE with 17 points followed by Harvey Pagsanjan’s 16 points.
“Sabi nga ni Dave – must win every game pero paghihirapan namin,” added Manansala. “Ine-expect namin na ready kami against La Salle next Tuesday.”
Both schools shall resume their respective campaigns on Tuesday. UST (3-5) goes up against De La Salle University at 12:30 PM; meanwhile, UE (0-8) takes on Ateneo de Manila University at 4:30 PM.
The Scores:
UST 72 – Concepcion 17, Ando 16, Cabanero 11, Manalang 9, Fontanilla 7, Manaytay 6, Pangilinan 3, Mantua 3, Sumudio 0, Herrera 0, Canoy 0, Gomes de Liano 0, Gesalem 0.
UE 61 – Paranada K 17, Pagsanjan 16, Antiporda 6, Sawat 6, Cruz 5 J, Beltran 4, Lorenzana 3, Escamis 2, Paranada N 2, Tulabut 0, Catacutan 0, Villanueva 0, Cruz JP 0, Abatayo 0.
Quarterscores: 11-21, 28-30, 54-51, 72-61.
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